The day dawned dark with rain clouds forming. Caught a ride with friends from our hotel to the buses that transported people from T2 to the swim start. If they had not been coming Luke would have had to get up at 6am to take me. Unfortunately a logistical problem is the buses leave from a parking lot that is not within walking distance from downtown, which if you are coming with family who expect a lie in on a Sunday morning is rather inconvenient. A taxi may be in order. My usual routine of running my coffee purchased the night before though the coffee maker and eating cold porridge out of a zip lock bag was employed on the bus ride over. Got off the bus and it was pouring rain. Hid out in the arena for awhile. Rain let off and got my bike and all my bags ready. Went back into the arena for some morning business and chats with internet friends, and finally made my way down to the water.
Had some hopes that current assisted swim would magically make for a fast swim. But I always suck at swimming apparently. 44: and change. Got a bit choppy toward the end and it started to rain. Was thinking, 'great here is the rain'. Was prepared to spend the entire day wet as the forecast was not looking nice. I didn't care. Meant I didn't have to worry about sun screen.
The transition zone was wedged between the Welland arena another building. Felt clausiphobic. There was a rather large parking lot beside the water at a community wellness centre, not sure why they could not support a active activity and let us use the parking lot?
As soon as I got out of the water I started running, though my transition was pretty OK. I did put on socks but really 4 mins?? I didn't stop for tea so have no idea why so slow.
So I didn't exactly train for the bike. I mean. I may have last biked 90k at Tremblant. I had maybe three rides over 50k since then. But really it was a flat course, couldn't be any worse then my 20k ride into work right??? So wrong. There was a wind. Sure the tail wind was tremendous, but the cross and head winds were so much work. I honestly thought I would blow off the road at times. It was the windiest riding I have ever done. Oh and I had sprained my ankle again on the Monday prior and actually got a bit of whip lash to my neck which also caused some tension to my head so for three hours I had a pounding headache. Never so happy to get out of aero when it was done. The course was pretty enough. A section beside Lake Erie, crossing bridges, and riding under the Welland canal was very cool. I actually pushed that bike as hard as I could that day, happy to say my split was 3:07 for 92k. An added bonus was the sun came out.
On to the run. Some spectator guy was waiting to get into the port a loo outside of transition, and I just ran right in. I counted, I was less then 20sec. but a slight dick move. I just really had to pee and I did not want a repeat of every other race with the worlds worst chaffing.
The run course was very challenging. Some nice sections intermingled with urban, full sun. The back end was just kind depressing. Some long suffering uphill's. There was lots of volunteers and police presence but in general did not actually notice anybody spectating near the falls. Enough aid stations.
I had hoped to go sub 1:50 off the bike which I know I have in me, but ended the day with 1:56. On the first lap I just felt sorry for myself. My head was pounding to the extent I may have cursed at a medic for not having Tylenol. It was no electrolyte problem- I just had tension. I just could not find that happy place. Found my family towards the end of the first lap and saw some friend which helped. Worked hard to catch up to my friend Dave. I had really hoped we could run it in together but it just was not his day. Post race I diagnosed an allergy to honey on him. Due to the lack of spectators just found the day quiet. The aid stations did not even have music. I was even hoping for Christian music at the aid station on the grounds of a monastery, all I had was the pounding of my head to keep me company. Found it frustrating not knowing which runners were on their first or second lap of the 10k course. Also found it frustrating watching people cheat on an out and back section.
Completed in 5:55, which is ok. Could I have done better with proper training and a better mental attitude, yes.
Oh and this is why you are always nice to front desk clerks- best rooms with a view.
On another note, Luke and the kids had brought bikes in anticipation of paid parking and thought it would be simplest just to park once and ride around and to the race site from there. We are actually not sure how any family made it to Kingsbridge park as the roads were all closed leading to it.
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