ironman canada // race week

IT’S RACE WEEK! Not sure how that happened, but let’s dive right in…

Monday

Just a rest day today. We spent part of the evening deciding what to pack for the trip.

Tuesday

Mornings swims are awesome, and I plan to continue 2-3 days a week all winter. I used a pull buoy for about half of this morning’s 1,700 yards and felt great. A quick 11.57-mile bike ride with Nick after work rounded out an easy day. It was tough to not bike farther. My legs wanted to GO!

Wednesday

An easy peasy 5.06-mile run after work today. Legs felt nice and rested and ready for Sunday!

Thursday

After a bit of a sleep-in this morning, I hit the pool for a quick 30-minute, 1,700-yard swim and then hopped on my bike for a 10.45-mile ride. It was beautiful outside, so it was tough to not keep riding. But, we had a plane to catch!

I have no idea where the past eight months went, but suddenly Nick and I were at the airport late Thursday afternoon, ready to fly to Vancouver for Ironman Canada. Obligatory airplane shot…

Nick’s mom, Mary, picked us up and after a bite to eat on Robson Street and briefly getting lost trying to find Highway 99 from downtown Vancouver, we were on our way to Whistler. Also, pretty sure we should move to BC. It’s absolutely stunning! Can’t beat the sea, salty air and mountains.

Friday

With the two-hour time change, we were up pretty early today. After brunch at Wild Wood (the banana bread French toast!), we hit the race expo and athlete check-in, where 140.6 got really real once I got my race bracelet and bib.

We spent the afternoon driving the bike course. Holy hilly! In the first 35 miles, there were three 10 percent grade climbs. But, the views were stunning and sure to make any cursing during the race stop 🙂

We had dinner at La Bocca in Whistler Village (it was delish), compliments of Ironman. There wasn’t a venue large enough for the usual pre-race athlete dinner, so they gave everyone a $25 meal voucher. The mandatory athlete meeting took place in Olympic Plaza… it was pretty good until I got a pounding headache and could barely see straight. We bee-lined for our condo as soon as it was done, and after I threw up a bit (yuck), I was out by 9:30p.

Saturday

Today was all about the shakeout swim, bike and run. Despite having a bit of a lingering headache, we made our way to Alta Lake mid-morning for a quick 1,000-yard swim between the IM bouys. Though it was a bit breezy, the water felt great. It’s crystal clear, clean and a beautiful greenish-blue (I quickly forgot about my headache). I felt strong and pretty confident – exactly the type of swim you want the day prior to an IM.

After swimming, we went for a quick 10-mile ride from bike out at Rainbow Park and along the beginning of the course. Almost immediately I was happy I swapped my cassette for a 12-27. The hills started from the get-go – and they weren’t small rollers! An easy 2.18-mile run rounded out the day.

We spent the rest of Saturday relaxing, packing race gear and eating. Pre-race dinner: chicken breast, coconut rice, steamed broccoli and a couple small squares coconut dark chocolate. We were in bed by 10p. And, that whole you-won’t-sleep-the-night-before-ironman thing… yeah, I was out almost as soon as my head hit the pillow.

Sunday

IRONMAN CANADA! Official results: 11:51:29. Race report coming soon!

In non-training news…

We made and ate a few bowls of banana “ice cream.”

I stocked up for race day with some new goodies, including 10 Picky Bars that I won on twitter. Thanks, dude! Can’t wait to try the newest kind, Runner’s High.

And, fresh beet juice makes you swimbikerun faster, right?

Weekly stats: 15 hours, 55 minutes.

Swim: 8,624 yards, 2:33:46
Bike: 144.02 miles, 7:47:36
Run: 33.44 miles, 5:34:32

This week: REST. Lots and lots of rest. And, eating. Lots and lots of eating.

Happy swimbikerunning, friends!