Happy New Year

A look back at my races in 2010.....May next year bring health and prosperity to all.

2010-03-28 Around the Bay 30 km Run 4:18:49.1
2010-05-16 Ironman Florida 70.3 7:27:51
2010-06-13 MultiSport Canada Triathlon Series, Binbrook sprint 1:53:31
2010-06-19 Niagara Ultra Half Marathon 2:42:01
2010-06-26 MultiSport Canada Triathlon Series, Welland half Iron distance 7:29:53
2010-07-10 Muncie Endurathon half Iron distance 6:50:15
2010-08-08 Barrie Sprint tri 1:16:17
2010-11-21 Ironman Arizona 15:59:45

As we are feeling the pinch with Joanne out of work still I won't be doing as many races in 2011 unless Joanne finds work in the new year, but I will try to get in at least one half ironman distance race.

As for my long awaited Ironman Arizona race report, I have decided not to write it. I did try, but felt all I was writing about were excuses in my race with "if I" or "I could haves?" but in all truth I gave the best I could for the day and was happy with finishing, I just was not happy with how my body worked for the day...But I can give a short glimpse of how my day went....

Swim...1:18:39...My swim was slow because of over crowding I picked the wrong line to swim and I swam passively sitting back so as not to be an asshole like the others who swam over me rather then pulling back as I did.

My Bike...6:42:39...The cold had a real effect on my peddling as did the high winds reported to being around 37mph rain, hail and sandstorms sometimes all at once!! which didn't result in me having slower then expected bike split as my bike split would have been better had i not stopped to help and stayed with an injured woman rider who was blown off her bike breaking a few bones I suspect? until the ambulance and paramedics came. And to the fact I was having bike seat issues with numbing of my groin so I had to take a few breaks getting off my bike, one of which to adjust my seat and another at special needs stop on my third loop getting off my bike to have a sitdown picnic while watching all the bikers I passed pass me.

My run...7:28:40... After I took my time in T2 to change and warm up and get some feeling in my groin, I ran the first 13miles at a slow pace but I was running! doing 7min run with a 3min walk all the while with my knee pain, getting a half marathon split in ruffly 3hrs, and then knowing I couldn't keep up this pace to meet my 14hr goal with my knee pain, I decided to walk the second half of the marathon, which took me aprox 4.5hrs.

The finish I ran out the last 100-300ft of the chute after pausing to take a stone out of my shoe when I could see the finish and hearing Mike Riley announcing " come on you can make it under 16hr" to which I was actually trying to drag out the time to get a closer finish to be under 16hrs. I then sprinted out the finish chute giving hi fives along to way to finish strong at 15:59:45.

Happy New Year.

IMAZ, still riding the high

BTW, I had a great time in Tempe doing Ironman Arizona, I did finish my race! so no DNF to report. lol

I've been procrastinating on writing my Race report, but I will get it done soon. I'm just basking in the glory or my race and basically been lazy to sit down an write, but truthfully have been to busy getting back into my normal routine of work and every day life's adventures and continuing on with my "less is more training" of swimming Monday, weds and Friday's so far. I haven't run but will run this Sunday for the first time since IMAZ ( which you will find out wasn't much of a run. lol) and I don't think I'll be do any riding until the new fallen snow of this winter melts away come next April, so for now it's mostly swimming with some weight training over the winter to get ready for next years tri's.

Here is a sample of one of my highlights of my time in Tempe.....

I am as ready as I'll ever be but not without a long battle

Last year at this time I was debating whether to enter Ironman Arizona for my 3rd time, the first two times, the inaugural race in 2005 and my second Ironman/06 were held in the spring(April) where I did all my training indoors and pulling of what I thought were good races with a time of 14:04 and 14:29 considering the problems I had in both cases. But as they say if it wasn't easy it wouldn't be Ironman.

Since that time I did many more triathlons from sprints to half Ironman, including my last Ironman at Lake Placid in 2008 which this blog is titled after, "my Journeys since then".

My debate was do I want to do Arizona Ironman again? with the big answer YES! I love the venue and the climate! Plus Ironman Arizona moved it's venue to November making my training easier with having all summer and fall to train outdoors as it is ment to be. At this time things were starting to go my way. I did all of the last three Ironmans being in hard times with my wife out of work each time unexpectedly. So now is the time to sign up again with my wife working full time again and with us starting to catch up with our debt. So with her job secure now, I pulled the plug and signed up for Ironman Arizona 2010.

Now my challenge was to get myself into shape. My first Ironman I got myself into shape and started the race weighing 198lbs. then the following year I let my weight slip, I gained weight up to around 240lbs but got it back down to 210 for race day in /06. From the time of Ironman Arizona /06 to Ironman lake placid I again gained weight, mostly because of life stresses with my wife being out of work again and with my foot injury with my torn PF and wasn't able to run. I only managed to maintain a weight of 240lbs for the start of IMLP. but all things considered I was happy with that result on a very tough course on a very tough rainy day.

From before and after Ironman lake placid to now, I went through some emotional tough times to, coping with alcohol and depression. I continued on with my athletics, pursuing my diving in which I entered and won my masters age group division at the Provincial championships in 2009.

After my diving endevor finished for the season, I turned back to doing triathlons and my next Ironman which will be this Sunday. But with on going stresses, I gained a lot of weight sinking into deeper depression and drinking. That is when I decided I had to stop my over indulgence before it goes spiralling out of control, but not knowing how depressed I was when I quit drinking cold turkey on Jan 18, (which I have done on many occasions before when I felt I was over indulging,) I soon had a major set back! I had bad panic attacks or anxiety attacks and insomnia, something I have never faced before. I knew my drinking was bad but didn't realized it was that bad. I also realized all I needed to do was grab a beer and I would soon be ok, but I didn't! I didn't want to give into my crutch, which I soon realized my drinking was.

After not sleeping for two day's and turning out to be a total wreck, I quickly went to see my doctor. After talking with my doctor and soon realizing what was happening to me and finding out I was covering up my depression with alcohol. The doctor helped me with my sleep deprivation and prescribed anti-depressants for me to help me out of my depression. I snapped out of my depression within months and now was able to focus on my training and races.

As I beat down my depression, I put my focus on losing weight. My start weight was 265-270lbs thanks to all the over indulgence and eating I did to satisfy my need to cover my depression. Now on the right path I slowly started to lose weight.


Then another setback, my wife gets laid off again, just as we were getting back on our feet. But with this setback I continued with my training and weight loss. I did my prepaid races over the summer, but slowly our lifestyle was losing ground with the big cut in income. I started worrying again, will I be able to go to Ironman Arizona? All I could do was stay possitive and hope for the best.

Fast forward to now, My wife is still out of work, and up until last month I was sure I wouldn't be doing Ironman Arizona, but thanks to my daughter using her credit, I secured my flight and hotel, but still had to come up with money for travel to get my bike there and other incidentals? after selling a few prized possessions I had the money, but as usual when things get good, other things happen, and I had to use my travel money to pay for that. I can't win!! Why is doing an Ironman such a struggle for me??? Oh I forgot, if it wasn't easy? it wouldn't be Ironman! lol

I managed to scrape up the bare minimum cash this week for my travel,incidentals and to get my bike to Tempe and back. (Nothing like down to the wire in will I or won't I go? NO stress here!! )

Now here it is, come this Thurs morning. I drive to Buffalo for my fight out to Tempe AZ. My weight is down, not to where I would like it? but down to about 210lbs after losing 55lbs since Jan 18. I have the fitness, I feel strong! My bike is packed in a bike box that I was able to borrow from a friend, thanks Jamie, and my travel bag is packed and I'm ready to go, to become an Ironman for the fourth time!

Wish me luck!

:)

IMAZ Update

I guess it's about time I update my blog on what is going on with IMAZ?



I AM GOING!! WOO HOO!!



I was able to book a fight and hotel cheap and with the help of my daughter and her credit card, which I will pay her back cash, and I secured my reservations. I leave for Phoenix on Nov 18th fling out of Buffalo and return on Nov 22nd the day ofter my race on Nov 21st.

Last Sunday I ran a half marathon with my wife Joanne who has been training with a half marathon clinic for the last 16 weeks, but because of our financial difficulty's she couldn't and didn't enter the Scotia Bank half marathon which was held last Sunday in Toronto, so instead her clinic instructor made a special half marathon route for her to run, Which I named the Barrie Ridge road half marathon. So on Sunday I went out with her in support running the route with her as well as documenting the faux race carrying my camera and taking pictures and video of her race. Joannes goal was to finish her race under 3 hours, and by the end of our faux race she did it! She finished in 2:49. Congrats Joanne, I knew you could do it!!

:)

IMAZ Withdrawal

Times are tough, creditors are knocking and I had to pull out of Ironman Arizona. I hated to do it, but I'm falling behind on bills so I requested to Ironman to withdraw from my Ironman Arizona race.

Joanne has been off work now for three months and times are getting tough. Sure she is getting unemployment but it doesn't cover near enough of our lifestyle. We have cut back on everything we can including food, but it's still a struggle with my visa maxed out and no extra cash, so it's a no show for me in Arizona to do my Ironman. I requested my withdrawal last night via e-mail to Ironman and hope to get my partial refund of $150.00 out of the $550.00 it cost for me to enter the event soon.

My next Ironman will have to wait another year or two when hopefully things get better and Joanne finds a decent job so we can get back on our feet and I can afford to do another Ironman race.

I did however have a good tri season with doing 3 half Ironman races as well as other races and I had a good summer of training to with my tri club friends, so all was good. Here is a list of all my races I did or planed to do this year.

2010-03-28 Around the Bay 30 km Run @4:18:49.1
2010-05-16 Ironman Florida 70.3 @7:27:51
2010-06-06 Subaru Series Milton Tri @DNS
2010-06-13 MultiSport Canada Triathlon Series, Binbrook sprint @1:53:31
2010-06-19 Niagara Ultra Half Marathon @2:42:01
2010-06-26 MultiSport Canada Triathlon Series, Welland half Iron distance @7:29:53
2010-07-10 Muncie Endurathon half Iron distance @6:50:15
2010-08-08 Barrie Sprint tri @1:16:17
2010-11-21 Ironman Arizona @Withdrew

Until next year I'll try to maintain my normal "less is more training" and hopefully do a couple of half Iron distance races in my area next year if I can afford to, if not maybe a few sprints in my area, and continue with some recreational diving for fun.


:)

Another Barrie tri in the...

Another Barrie triathlon in the books. Yesterday I did the Barrie Tri and did it with a personal best!

I had a good race with a PR finishing with a total time of 1:16:17... 92/255 overall22/41 in 45-54 AG.... 700m swim;11:50 1:42/100m ...20km bike:35:46 /33.6 avg ...5k Run; 28:43 5:45min/km

The morning started out overcast with threats of rain. by the time I got to the beach which is 5 mins from my house it started to rain. I set up my transition, i put my tri gear in a plastic cooler bag to keep my shoes and close from getting wet, it turned out pretty good keeping my stuff dry as the skies opened up with torrential rains. The heavy rain started during the kids of steel races and kept up all through the adults sprint race. my wave was the 6th, and with the sound of the horn away we went. I started out easy and on the outside keeping my eye on everyone on the right. as I made the first turn buoy I soon found my pacing and just turned over my strokes nice and easy. I ended up 8th fastest swim time in my AG of 41.

I ran up to T! and had a quick change. I actually had a dizzy spell as I was putting on my bike shoes, but caught myself before I fell over. ( a result of the cold water and fast swim pace)

The rain was still coming down hard. The bike course was a 4 loop course around the beach front and up around the lake heading uphill one way on a false flat and down hill back. The first loop I went hard but was also cautious around the turn around and corners. I managed to keep my pace up for the 4 loops, but not really going as hard as I could being afraid of slipping and wiping out.

When I finished my 4th loop I transitioned into T2 racking my bike and pulling off my bike shoes. I reached into my cooler bag to slip on my nice dry running shoes, the cooler bag kept every thing dry. I started out on my run and was determined to run the whole 5 k with out walking, but knew it would be hard as the running path around the lake goes up hill on a long steady grade of 2% to the top of the turnaround after the first km being flat, so I went easy, trying to get my legs and moving along at my slow pace.

To my surprise I was actually keeping up with some peeps who were ahead of me, and felt even better when I passed some peeps who had to stop and walk. But at the same time there were alot of peeps passing me.

As I came to the end of the flat section of the run, I kept on my pace pushing forward climbing upward and on. I made it to the turnaround without stopping or walking and I knew the easy part and the end was near. I started to pick up my pace as the run was easyer on the downhill, but not to over step and go to fast I kept pacing myself not to push to hard.

As I neared the flat section coming off the steady down hill I knew I had about 1 km left, I pushed my pace a little harder and I finally reach the finish line running in on a sprint making this a good run day for me finishing my race in 1:16:17 for a personal best on the Barrie Tri course.

:)

Muskoka group ride

I set up a group ride sending out invitation to friends to join me on a ride of the Muskoka 70.3 bike course, as a few on my friend doing the Muskoka 70.3 race this year have never ridden the course and wanted to see what all the hype was about? It was a perfect day for riding with sunny sky's and temps around 25C and not much wind. You couldn't ask for a better day!

We all met at the Deerhurst resort where the Muskoka 70.3 race will be held at 8am to start our bike ride from the start of the course.We had a great turn out with 12 people showing up. and we started out as I planed by 8:30.

To my surprise we had a faster then what I thought we would ride, ride. I was planning just to go easy and tour, show the course for what it is, hard! with lots of hills and steep climbs, but being what most triathletes are? (A typical personality's! lol) some pushed on faster then what I had planned, sort of testing out the waters so to speak, making me worry that the weaker riders might get left behind.

As it turned out, it all worked out in the end, because as the faster riders took off, they waited at the turns on the course or stops, letting the rest catch up. For me it was a easy ride taking pictures along the way for the first half of the ride, sitting up most of the way, but not to suggest that the course was easy for me? it wasn't, the hills took it's toll on me to, even going at a slower pace going up those steep hills was tough!!

For the others they felt the challenge of what the course will give them on race day. Everyone was happy in the end and gave a big sigh of relief at the end of the ride. Some were actually saying after in the parking lot; WTF did I get myself into? lol and realize they have some work to do.

We ended up taking 4+hours on the course but actual riding time was approx; 3:19 by my computer with an average speed of 28kph as a group! not bad for a planed touring ride. :)

After the ride some of us went into Huntsville for some food and beer and discuss the days ride.

Here is a video I made up of our ride with Video and pictures mostly taking during the first half of the ride. I had to put my camera away for the second half, the hard hilly part!!!

:)

Endurathon Half Ironman report

Finally, The cat's out of the bag...er, box. lol





Here is my Endurathon race report in a nutshell, written Jesse Temple for the Star Press of Muncie.

Click on pictures to enlarge

All I can add is I had a great time there, I was very impressed with the race venue in how well organized it was and how great all the volunteers were, as well as the organizers! I highly recommend this as a to do race. I will definitely be going back!

As for my race itself? I was very pleased with my results, with taking 40min off my times from both Disney 70.3 and Welland half.

My swim was 40:56 ( long transition up a hill to the timing mats into T1) Rank 196 overall. The water was warm not the clearest of lakes but not to bad. The swim race was not wetsuit legal, which I like, making for a fairer race. I had to laugh though, during the bike I had several riders say to me, "did you think the swim was long?" I then said I think so. lol (saying to myself and snickering, " It wasn't long, my time was comparable to my last 2 half Ironmans, both of which were not wetsuit legal. Maybe you should learn to swim!" lol )

My bike was awesome with a 2:38:24 rank 239 with an average of 21.2mph or 33.92kph over 90km Woot! When I got into T1 after the long climb up the hill after my swim, I changed into my bike gear, grabbed some stroopwaffles to chow down and walked my bike out to the mount line. I had no idea where the bike route was going? or what I was in for? all I knew was the bike route was fast and flat. Well the first Km or so were a few rollers and I'm thinking,? man I hope this isn't what they call flat around here?

Then once out of the park area everything started to level out. the roads were closed and the pavement was smooth, I'm saying to myself,"this is awesome" I started peddling and get into a comfortable cadence riding around 39-40kph Looking ahead it almost looked like I was climbing on a slight uphill but that was just an optical allusion. the route took us though beautiful smooth paved pathway's out, enclosed with trees and brush that went on for miles until getting to the turn around where went back on the hwy. I was only passed by a few peeps and was chicked twice, but the second girl that passed me I decided to ride her pace, riding behind her legally of course! As I said I didn't know what to expect and I didn't want to go to fast burning myself out or going to slow having people pass me, so hooking up with this elite triathlete ( I knew she was an Elite as she had her name across her butt on her tri shorts) was my ticket to a good ride and pace. I didn't let her out of my sights the whole way staying on her pace, even when she slowed down I slowed down. I figured she knows what she is doing and I was good riding her pace without over exerting myself trying to keep up.

I finally get to the last 10km of the bike route feeling the excitement of getting in to T2 to start my run, but low and behold the last 10km were rolling hills that my friend Brian told me about and after riding a steady fast pace averaging what I thought was around 35-36kph for 75k I was feeling the pain of the hills, not being able to get up the strength to pull myself up what seemed to be like mountains. The girl I was riding behind was moving further ahead of me as my pace slowed going up the hills, but I managed to push through and get in to T2 alive and not to beaten up to much. By the time I racked my bike the girl I was pacing behind was long gone. i later checked her results and she did great, finishing 2 in her AG.

Once in T2 and racking my bike and I see my friend Brian walk towards me holding a bag of ice over his shoulder. I said to him, " gimmy the ice so I can ice myself before the run" lol but I didn't. I talk a min with him while I changed and off I went grabbing for some fluids that some volunteer was offering me in T2. I took my time walking and drinking to get my legs together, but again the heat of the day along with my hard ride it took me a while to get my legs going.

My run was still slow but better then my last two half races with a 3:19:18 Rank 605 out of 663 participants total.

The run course starts out with the rollers out of the park just like on the bike, then out along some closed roads with more small rollers for the duration out and back. I was hoping for a 3 hour half mary which would give me a time of 6:30 for my half Ironman, but I lost some of my time because my legs wouldn't go and it was hot out.

For the first 4 miles I had to lay down at each of the first four aid stations I came to, to relax my legs and Iced them to get some energy back. After the 4th aid station I was finally getting my energy back as I was drinking up some of the G-aid and coke I was offered, and when I got up from my short rest I started to do some more running. I made it out to the half way turnaround in about 1:45 -1:50 and felt relief I only had 6 more miles left. I was also pleased to see that every mile at every aid station there was a port-a-potty, but this day I had no issues with having to use one, but I was glad to see there were there if I needed one.

After the turn around I started to stretch my run a little more and running a little harder in short bursts rather then shuffling along as a snails pace and was able to run back in 1:30hrs for the negative split.

The hi-light of my run was the last 300m where I sucked it up, running full out up a huge hill to the finish line and passing 2 guys in my AG, as well as some young twenty something guy I was playing cat and mouse with along the last half of the run, and then looked up at the time clock as I was getting nearer to the finish line to see I came in under 7 hours Sweeet!

Then I collapsed in the shade of the tent they had beyond the finish line to catch my breath and after collect my rewards, my finishers plague and food which was great and included pita pit sandwiches fruit, drinks, and Ice cream which I shared with Joanne and Melissa as I wasn't hungry.

Some pictures .......

We arrived in Muncie

No, not a ghost town? although it may have seemed that way? Downtown convention center where I picked up my race kit

Downtown Muncie

Getting my bike racked and gear set up race morning

Race morning Transition area

Down by the swim start

Getting ready for my swim wave

My wave group at the swim start

Me leading the way in my wave coming in. ;)

See! I'm ahead! ;)

I'm thinking, what to do now?

Oh ya! run up to T1.

T1... going out.

T2..coming in from bike Brian hold ice bag while I rack.

The quick change...Bawahaha

Quickly putting tape on my toes for the run so I don't blister..Bawahaha. I said it again! "Quickly"

Don't know what I'm doing but it must be important? Oh putting on my shoes

Ahh, some light refreshments from the friendly vollunteers.

No rush, lots of time to finish.

Like I said? lots of time. lol

See! I'm back aready! I'm coming in to the finish, and I'm running!!

Arms raised, I'm here!!

under 7hours. whew!

Nappy time...

Me with my finisher plaque..
Back at Brians home after the race.

I would aslo like to thank my friend Brian Fitzwater and his family for putting Joanne, Melissa and I up in there home for the weekend. There hospitality was up and above all expectation!! Thank you so much for a great time.

Joanne and I with Brian, Joyce and kids out for dinner

Brian, Joyce and kids.

Brian and I watching the Tour Du France actually!

:)

Lake Placid

Well on that note I have a little time, so I thought I would mention? .......DO YOU BELIEVE IT'S BEEN ALMOST 2 YEARS SINCE I'VE DONE LAKE PLACID??

Wow! where has the time gone? .....

Ironman Lake Placid is this Sunday, I was hoping to drive down and meet up with some of my friends doing the race and to watch first hand, but as luck would have it and with Joanne out of work i haven't the money for lodging let along the expense for gas fair. So at this time I would like to wish them well this Sunday and hope they achieve all there goals. I will be watching live on - line at here

This weekend is also the Muskoka challenge long course race. Normally it is held in June on the fathers day weekend, but with the G8/G20 summit being held in Toronto and the Deerhurst in Huntsville they moved the race to this weekend. I have done this race for the last 8 years, although the last two years I Dnf'd because of my foot problem. I won't be racing it this year for the same reasons I stated I couldn't go to Ironman Lake Placid...no money! .....Life sucks!

You would Think?

You would think by now i would have my Endurathon race report up? But the problem is that I have been busy training, watching the Tour de France and just plain old lazy. I will of course get busy soon and post my story /RR sooner or later?

Hopefully sooner. ;)

Endurathon Report

We made it back safely from the Muncie Endurathon where I raced the Half Iron distance triathlon. I will have a full report shortly on my weekend endeavor and race. Please stay tuned. :)

Next Up Endurathon half Ironman

Next up is the Endurathon half Ironman race in Muncie Indiana this Saturday. I'll be leaving here Friday morning early with Joanne and Melissa. The plan is to leave by 3am and I expect a 10 hour drive to get to Muncie where Registration will be between 3pm and 9pm then I'll meet up with my friend Brian Fitzwater (AKA, Lawdude as he is know to us Ironman Florida chat pagers, AKA, Arnage peeps ) Who invited me down to do the Endurathon and to stay at his home as long as I bring my world famous chocolate orange chocolate chocolate chip cookies. I think thats a fare deal.;)

My only problem now is can I race? ....Well I guess I can even with a broken toe? Yes I broke my second toe on my right foot the other day. It was a real stupid accident. Unlike some people kicking a bed post and braking there toes, which is real common like my friend Lanceman did the other day, ( lanceman is another arnage peep ) I was getting ready to go for my bike ride and I was wheeling my bike out the house through the garage door entrances to the house while I was barefoot and kicked the door step jamb with my second toe because I didn't lift my foot high enough over. Doh!


Anyhow, I should be ok to run by Saturday, I'm walking on it ok with just a little pain.... Still how bad can my run be Saturday as long as I can walk the run route like I have my previous two half Ironman, I should finish ok? probably around 7:30hrs. lol

MY ROUTE To Muncie....


View Larger Map

Welland half Ironman Race report

In a field of 264 I finished the 3rd from last of all the finishers, Probably one of my worst finishes I have ever had in a race, albeit a small field of under 300 participant, compared to the larger fields I'm used to in my numerous M-dot races I have done. It really wasn't the worst finish I have done, or a bad race for me? It's just the worst in terms of standing, being at the bottom of the finishers list and coming in last in my age group where normally I'm a mid packer in my age group. But being a smaller race the field was a lot stronger. But I'm not disappointed in my race all things considering!? My finish time was comparable to if not exactly the same as in my Race at Ironman Florida 70.3 a month earlier. It was a hot day in Welland like it was at the Disney 70.3 race although not as hot as Disney! that was brutal! But I had to walk most of the run again because 1) weather being a factor over this weekend causing me allot of knee and joint pain, 2) being under trained on the bike riding in aero cause me back pain, and 3) Port a potty trouble.

My day started out at 6am waking up in my tent that I had set up in the backyard of my friend Karen's house In Welland which was close to the Race venue. I grabbed my I buprofin and downed a few pills with water to give me relief of my joint pain being caused by the hot humid weather of the low pressure system on this race weekend. Then I quickly broke camp taking my tent down as I wouldn't be returning after the race. When I finished packing the tent I carried all my gear to my car which was blocked in the driveway so I couldn't get out. After I put everything in my car I went inside the house to look for the car key's to the car that was blocking me. I couldn't find them, so I thought what can I do? I didn't want to wake Karen up but I had to. So I climbed the stairs up to her room and to my delight she was awake, where I told her I was blocked in and asked if she would move her car to let me out, which she did.

I'm on my way now and I grabbed a pre-made bagel and cream cheese I had in my cooler in my car and a couple of stroopwaffles along with some gator aid as my pre race breakfast and stop at a Tim Horton's for some coffee.

When I arrived at the venue there were only a few cars parked, but it wasn't long after the parking lot started to fill. I parked right beside the arena where the packet pick up was and went in to register. I got my race number 137 my long sleeved shirt and a bag with a bunch of coupons and a couple of packs of nuts and stuff, not much swag???

I went back to my car to get y bike and gear to set up my transition and when I got to T1 to set up most of the racks where empty except my rack where there were already 20 or 30 bikes racked! I said out loud " I guess us old guys like to be early lol"

After I set up I went back to my car to grab another Stroopwaffle and a bottle of water. As I get to my car I see one of my Barrie friends drive in and walk over to where he parked to say hello to Jim, who was doing his first half Ironman distance race, his daughter Jacquie and Wayne.



Carrying with me my container of my world famous chocolate orange chocolate chocolate chip cookies, I then offered them some.

Jim who was racing went in to register and I caught up with him and the others in transition.

Jim talking strategy which worked! he had an awesome race.
Me at my bike setup in T1 before the race

I then met up with other Baydogs( my tri club) members who were racing and specially looked for Joanne Merkley as I promised her some of my cookies. I finally met up with Joanne who was standing in line of the woman's washroom and she greeted me with a big hug to which I gave her a bag of my cookies., which I think must have helped her in her race as she did awesome too!

My Race...I headed down to the water and swim start area carrying my wetsuit, then put on my wetsuit and got in the water so a short warm up swim as I haven't had much swim training of late! the day before I did a short 500m swim without my wetsuit to test the waters which would be my longest swim since I did Binbrook two weeks before which was only a 750m swim, so I was not prepared at all for this race with little to no swim training since I did Disney in May with the 2000m swim and that again being my longest swim since Jan. But I was well enough trained with my "less is more" training and attitude. lol

The water was warm and calm and as I awaited for the start of the race Jim swam over to me to wish me luck as I did to him. This race was a little different then most half Ironman races as it was a mass start rather then a wave start, I guess because of the smaller field only being under 300 participant. But there was on wave start before us, the elite racers who were doing the three race challenge for prize money where they race this race and to other races later in the year, and the pros, they got a 30 sec head start of the rest of the field.

The horn goes off and a way we go. I started on the far side near the center of the canal but back, as I didn't want to get caught up in the bashing of the mass swim start. It didn't help? I thought I would just have a easy smooth swim race, but as I started out for what ever reason there seemed to be a lot of splashing! even with me hanging back? WTF is going on? as I swam I took on a few mouth fulls of water and started choking, so I had to slow to a stop to get my breath and stay calm. I finally coughed out the water from my lungs and continued on just keeping to my pace and not over exerting myself. I make it around the first turn buoy then cross over the canal to the next turn buoy with no problem swimming around them without much contact form other swimmers. for the next leg of the swim I started to get into my groove of nice long easy strokes up the canal passing the start/ finish area and swimming on under a bridge and to the far end buoy. I swim across the canal to the final buoy and back down to the swim start/finish line and in. I climb up the bank which organizers had pea stones dumped to make it easier for swimmers to get out, as it is a steep climb up and out of the water, but with the help of volunteers it wasn't to tough.

I climbed out ran over the timing pad and checked my watch, hmmm? ok 39 min better then I expected. Because of the logistics of the swim the organizers had a secondary timing pad for when we got to T1 as the transition from the waters edge to T1 was around 300m if not longer? and some of it was even over gravel? which for me both just running without my orthotic was hard enough on the path or along the grass alongside the path as which I did, but the gravel was a real challenge for me as I'm sure it was for others.

I do a quick change and get to the mount line and run past then hop on my bike. ( I wish more people would learn how to mount on there bikes and not stop on the line and get on there bikes at a stand still) anyways I'm off or my ride.

I haven't ridden the course so I didn't know what to expect? The only thing I have heard is that the course was flat and fast! So I just started peddling not knowing how hard to go? So I eased into a rhythm and was soon cruising at 36kph on some nicely paved smooth roads. the course was awesome! but the day began to become hot! I stayed in areo for as long as I could stand and had to sit up in relief to stretch out my back. I haven't done allot of long rides since I did Disney, matter of fact I haven't done much riding in the last month, so I didn't want to push my pace and I wanted to save some legs for my run.

At times I would get into a groove and I would be cruising around 40kph then again I would have to sit up to stretch. They were right! this course is flat and fast! But the problem with flat and fast is there was no down time, if you stop peddling you slow down, so I tried to keep my rhythm and pace a constant not pushing hard but keeping my speed at or above 30kph. As I rode on at my pace I was passing people like they were standing still getting up to speeds of 38-40kph. I caught up and passed Joanne and said to her" you must have had a great swim to be in front of me? " I later checked and her swim was about the same time as me but my run up to T1 and my transition was slower so she just got out on the road before me.

Not long after my back started seizing at around the 25-30k mark and I had to keep sitting up to stretch out. The day was also getting hotter and as I passed by the shores of lake Erie along route I wanted to stop and jump in, but I kept going! I kept pushing forward at my pace and along come Jim passing me and saying," come on Joe! lets go! or something like that? I thought for a second maybe I should jump up and go with Jim, but then my back was twitching and I said naw! I'll just keep my pace going and maybe Jim will burn out. lol

It felt like forever getting to the turn around, and when I did all I was thinking about was when I pass by that spot on lake Erie, I'm going in! My back was seizing bad and I had to cool off and stretch it out. At around the 65km point there it was! Lake Erie! I looked and looked! where can I stop and pull over? Finally I saw my entree point! I stopped walked my bike in off the road. the shore was rocky so I kept my bike shoes on and just walked to the waters edge and when the water was deep enough I dove in! Ahhhhhh! , I sat there with shoes and helmet on in the water and started to stretch my back. The water felt great and I sat for about 5min watching riders pass along the road. then I saw Joanne pass and said it's time for me to go. I climbed back out of the water with my shoes covered with seaweed jumped back on my bike and away I went.

I had my sights on Joanne and it took me a little while to catch her when as I passed her I said " man you a hard one to catch up to! I saw you pass me as I went for a swim. lol " and she said " I saw someone in the lake! was that you?" I said "YEP" lol My back was feeling better after my swim, but it was still tight. I got to the finish and dismounted like a pro again, getting off my bike before the line and running with my bike over the line and into T2.

I check to see my time and was happy I was sub 3hours with a 2:55:02 and a 30.9 kph average, it would have been faster is I didn't go for my swim. lol After I racked my bike I was going to take my time, as I need to stretch out my back and had to cool off again.

Me stretch in T2 after I racked my bike
Me taking a shower to cool off

Me making myself look good before taking off on my run. lol

Now it was time to go for a run after a long 5:56 T2 transition. So what do I do? My knees were hurting and my back was twitching so I walked! lol I had to take my time to let my back un-seize and had to walk out some pain in my knee that I had wrapped with my knee strap plus get in some needed hydration. I walked out of T2 where I see Wayne taking pictures of me and I chat with him another 5 min or so before continuing on. Wayne ran ahead of me to get some pictures of me, but he must have been thinking what happened to me when I didn't show up for another 5 min or so? What happened was, on route between T2 and the path towards the swim start area I decided to take another swim.lol I had to stretch out my back again and cool off, so when I did arrive along the path just past the first aid station where my friends K, Tanker and Kent were working Wayne finally got his shot of me soaking wet. lol

Me coming out of T2

Me walking though the first aid station that Kent, Tanker and K were working.

Not long after that I started to run a little, then I came up to the first bridge and street crossing and I started to follow the orange cones over the bridge. I get halfway across the bridge and an official on a bike starts yelling at me saying I'm going the wrong way, and he said, didn't I see the arrow pointing straight!?! I told him no, what arrow?? I told him I was just following the cones, and there where a bunch of people there at the corner? and why didn't they say something to me there and then?? So I turn around and go back with the official who looked like he was getting ready to DQ me!! then we get to the corner and I see the arrow behind a guy who was standing in front of it with his bike!!!GRRRR! Anyway I continue on.

Having just come off of doing a half marathon the week before I was planing on having a decent run. I finished my half mary with a time of 2: 42 and figured if I can finish today with 3 hours I'll have a decent 6:30hr race, but I was having a hard time getting my legs moving with my knees hurting and my back was still tight so I started walking some more to give my back time to ease up, which it did later. While I was walking some local guy with his bike saw what went on with me and the official back in the corner and decided to keep me company. At first I though he was sent by the official to keep an eye on me so I don't cut any more corners. lol But he was just a local doing some voly duties who runs this course all the time and wanted some feed back from me while I walked.

Well It was time for me to start running, my back was feeling better, I was all hydrated and although my knees hurt I can manage to move forward with the pain but with a noticable limp on each step. Then I get this feeling!?! You know? the feeling that it's time to go! and when you get that feeling , it's hard to run! if you know what I mean? lol So now I'm back to walking with a limp and looking for a pot a potty? I see none? I get to the 4km aid station and ask where are the port a potties? one guy told me there is non here, but their is one back at transition, WTF??

So I continue on, I try to run but have to stop and walk before I get some leakage. I make it to the next aid station thinking they have to have a potty here?? NO POTTY!! I keep moving forward and start cramping and I have to stop till the cramp passes. I keep moving on. I walk a little run a little, walk more, run a little and cramp and stop. I keep going finally getting to the farthest reaches of the course where we have to cross over the canal and still no potty. I see a official and ask, Where the Fuck are the potty's!! This is now 6-7km out and I haven't seen one?? He says jokingly, I guess we will have to review this problem for next year? there are none out here. He said just go in the bush. I said where? The brush is so thick and full of mosquito's? so I continued on.

A short time later the official came up to me with some TP and said; Here, and passed me the TP. I said thanks and carried the TP with me looking for an opening in the woods. At the 7 mark I finally see an opening, a little path up a hill so I go in to do my business, but soon as I get in the thick brush the mosquito's attack!! I say screw this! I'm not going to squat! I then try to take a little pee to relieve some pressure of my cramping only to pinch it off early as the mosquito's where attacking everywhere, and I mean everywhere!! So tucking my business back in I run out of the bush.

I start to run a little but I still had to go bad. I finally get to the turn around still carrying my TP. I cross back over the train bridge, back onto the path and was on my way back. By now I was cramping more and my head was turning left and right looking for a place to go! I tried to run more but was only able to go a few steps before having to walk and squeeze to keep from having a shitty day! if you know what I mean.

At the 12 km mark I had all I can take and was looking desperately for some opening in the bush. again I found one that look very open, so thinking there might not be so many mosquito's I duck in going in about 50 yards, I quickly pull down my shorts as I'm being attacked again by thousand of mosquito's! They were everywhere! any open skin they were on it! I'm slapping my face, my arms my legs and my butt!

As soon as I squatted I couldn't help but explode!! the mass and force must have taken out 500-100 mosquito's with the blast! lol but it still wasn't quick enough as they were attacking and biting every part of exposed skin on my body!

Soon as I released the pressure I felt quick relief, I cleaned up with my TP and pulled up my shorts as fast as I could because my butt was covered in mosquito's having a butt roast for dinner and I ran out. When I got out out of the woods I had to do some more cleaning up as I didn;t want to chaf, and where else to clean up better then to jump in the canal on the other side of the path. Once I cleaned up I couldn't believe how much better I felt. from then on I was able to run. I started with 10 and two's for the first few km then reverted to run as long as I could usually 3-4 min and walk 2min for the rest of the way back.

When i get to the corner where I went the wrong way at the begining of the run, the course has me going over the bridge for a short loop on the other side of the canal, down along the canal passing oposite the transition area on the other side going to the next bridge, crossing over and going down the canal about 200m to the turn around and then back again.... OH! and this shorter loop of 5-6k had two sets of port a potty's along the route so you had access to them 4 times in the short loop!! Grrrrrr.

The last few km I met up with a young lady doing her first half distance Ironman who was hurting with her run, who her herself said to me she was a strong runner and couldn't believe how tough a day it was? She was from the states and we chatted as we walked together telling each other our story's of this day. I encouraged her to keep going with walk and runs as I was doing when I caught up with her. We started to run and pick up the pace when we were getting close to the finish. When we got to the last hundred meters and we could see the finish line I told her this was you time being your first half Ironman, so run it out and get a good picture of your finish as I hang back. I waited for her to cross when I realized and looked at my watch saying it was 7:29!! and I wanted to at least finish before 7:30, so I quickly started running it out to beat the clock all the while the camera guys were still taking pictures of the young lady after she finished. I then yelled at them, hey what about my picture??? I guess I'm not a pretty enough!?!?! lol Anyways I finished under the 7:30 mark with a 7:29:53 Whew! that was close! lol and with no finish photo? lol

I get to the finish and again Kent was there doing more voly duties and greeted me with congrats, I then got handed a hat? WTF? Don't we get medals I said? ...if I knew there were no finisher medals I said? I would have DNF's a long time ago! lol ... Oh well! not a big deal, the hat was nice.

From the finish line I met up with Adam who had a great race doing the DU half ironman and finished first in his Age group and 4th overall! We then had to take our medal bite shot and since Adam had a medal for finishing first in his AG and I had no finisher medal, we decide to do the bite with our hats.

All in all it was a good race except for the lack of porta potties on the first 12k's of the run, which I'm positive cost me a good hour on my run, but hopefully that will be rectified for next years race and I can prove I could do better when I don't have to hold my poo poo most of the race. lol But to be fair on my run on the way between 12 and 14k I did see a city potty tucked in the wood line and missed it on my way out on the run, but it was not clearly marked. Still even with that there were not enough potties on the first part of the course, so just in case I will be bringing my mosqito spray and make sure all parts of my body including my nearthers are covered. lol

In any case, I am definitly going to be doing this race next year! It's a good one!

My stats...
243 137 Josef Polcz 7:29:53 TM50-54 29/29 154 38:45 1:57 2:55 2:33 176 2:55:02 30.9 5:56 245 3:44:43 10:39