This year I went back to Ironman Canada in Whistler, British Columbia. Last year, the race conditions were so difficult (cold and rain) that I honestly felt as though I was doing this race for the first time. With better, seasonal weather, I set out with the following goals:
Swim: 51:00
Bike: 4:45:00
Run: 2:50:00
Assuming, 4 minutes total for two transitions, it would put me right at 8:30.
Actual splits were: 50:25, (T1 2:22) 4:48:07 (T2 1:02) 2:56:16. I managed to beat my swim goal and even banked some extra time with the quick T2. The bike was close, but I didn't make up as much time in the final 35K as I thought I could. The run was a little better than the time reflects as I had a bathroom stop and accidentally ran off course for a few hundred meters and had to turnaround and run back to the turn I missed. However, being a bit off here and there starts to add up and in the end I finished in 8:38:12 and 4th Overall.
Now, in the continued spirit of less words and more photos, the 2016 Whistler photo blog:
Not actually from the race, but this is me going up St Vrain Canyon. While getting ready for IMC, I did several long rides that all finished with a 90 minute climb up this Canyon. This closely simulates the closing 35K of the IMC bike course.
More from St Vrain.
The view from Squamish where we stopped for lunch on the drive to Whistler.
Looking back at Green Lake from the final aid station near the run turnaround.
Our friends, Jenny and Rob Ferris, joined us on this trip. I do the majority of my swim training with Jenny in Boulder and here I am demonstrating proper breaststroke technique to the former Olympic Trials swimmer. She appreciated the tips.
I did all my pre-race swims in Lost Lake which is walking distance from where we stayed. It's a great spot to do some swims. The run course also does a loop around it on the dirt trails.
The Friday afternoon Pro Panel with Trevor, Maik and Andy.
Friday dinner included a trip to CreekBread Pizza; an awesome spot with this impressive pizza oven.
Saturday morning I helped out with the Ironkids run. More than 500 kids participated. Always great energy here.
Simon Whitfield, two-time Oly Medalist including gold in Sydney, joined the Ironkids run on Saturday. It was a pleasure to meet one of the sport's greatest athletes.
The final pre-race swim in Lost Lake.
Riding over to drop the bike off at T1.
Checking. Double checking.
At the pro panel I told the audience my secret of eating a can of Pringles and a Klondike bar before racing. Here's proof that I was serious.
When we got back from dropping the bike off, we saw a mama bear and two cubs just outside our condo.
Race morning. Venue isn't pretty at all.
They changed the pro swim to a beach start this year which I prefer.
Making the turn onto the 2nd loop of the swim.
Brooke and Rob waiting for me to come back from the Callaghan climb.
Still waiting.
Rolling through.
Off to Pemberton.
Rob Ferris aka ROJO. Rob came to the race to help support me; a few weeks ago he finished solo RAAM in 5th Overall.
About 1-2K into the marathon.
Love this shot from Jenny of Brooke helping me on the final loop of the run.
Jenny took this shot of me and Brooke shortly after the race. It seems like a sweet moment of race reflection, and by then it was, but the reason I made my way away from the finish line was to throw up repeatedly. Good times.
Soaking the legs the morning after the race in Lost Lake.
Before the awards ceremony. Probably my 9th cup of coffee that morning.
Ski jumping venue from the 2010 Olympics.
Venue for the Biathlon competition at the 2010 Olympics.
The whole gang.
The symbol of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games
I have thoroughly enjoyed traveling to Whistler and racing Ironman Canada in back to back years. Hope to get back there again some day.
Until the next one,
justin