How do we find meaning in endeavors that can ultimately crush or heighten you? This is something I have been trying to get my head around while bouncing back from Ironman Lake Placid. What I have come to grips with this year is that anything can happen ---especially with ironman and the training that accompanies it. I have learned that my results don’t define me and that the more I give back to my sport the better I can bounce back from disappointment. I have learned the importance of deep tissue massage in noticing problem areas before they become full blown injuries. I have learned that humility is what keeps you honest and at the same time can push the inner drive to take things to the next level. Racing informs me of the naked truth about where my fitness is. There is no guessing, no estimating, just plain old fashioned truth. Race day reveals a truth that force feeds humility and keeps one honest.
This race report is dedicated to my wife – Lindsay and my family- mom, dad, Karen, Brian, Megan, Ben, Matt, Scott, Colin, and Kai. You guys have so supportive of me and my racing---thank you.
I also want to thank my coach, Jesse Kropelnicki and my sports chiropractor Dr Keith.
The Montreal triathlon festival is truly a unique event among triathlons. Staged at the Olympic rowing basin (where we swim) and formula 1 race car track (where we ride) it stands on its own as far as triathlon courses go. It is also very well organized.
The swim was a very physical 1.2 miles and I was about where I thought I would be---pretty far back. After Lake Placid my swim training just simply wasn’t happening at the level it had been. I was only swimming about 2-3 times a week and probably barely getting 4000 yards a week. I was just burned out on swim training. Anyhow quick transition and off to the bike.
I was really moving on the bike course but remembered that my coach had told me to back off a bit on the bike from my usual go all out pace. I was riding well within myself and still averaging about 25 mph!!! This course is just ridiculously fast. My left glute issue seemed to be making a visit and I had to back off a bit to stretch it periodically. This is the one post Lake Placid injury that I still don’t have a good handle on. Anyhow I nailed my nutrition and hydration (although I did one less bottle than normal but it was very cool temps for the bike so sweat rate was low). This was the 5th or 6th long distance race in a row where I had no GI issues what so ever. The race fueling plan that Jesse at QT2systems did has been invaluable. All of my races this year were properly fueled and race fueling appears to no longer be a limiter for me.
I got off the bike with a 2:11 bike split!! And at 2:44 cumulative time.
Onto the run, I didn’t run like a bat out of hell through T2 but rather just relaxed through it and tried to get my body fully upright and get my form dialed back in after being super hunched over for 2 plus hours. Once my form was dialed, I felt amazing. Every stride just felt better and better. I was really moving, holding somewhere around 6:30 pace. I have never felt like this in a half iron run. I was flying, pulling people back almost constantly. I really tried to savor the last lap of the run as I knew this was my last triathlon for the season and I was feeling so good. I hit the finish with a 4:11:55 which is a 6 minute personal best!!! My run split was also a PR with a 1:25:32. I still can’t believe I ran that fast. I have wanted to run this fast in a half ironman for a very long time. I’m so psyched right now. This also gives me some good momentum for the Leaf Peeper’s half marathon and the Cape Cod Marathon.
Thanks for reading!!!
results can be found here:
http://sportstats.ca/display-results.php?lang=eng&racecode=44022
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