ironman canada | if you go

This is my last post about Ironman Canada… I promise!

When we registered for Ironman Canada last October, we were pretty clueless about the logistics. I figured we’d get around to booking lodging eventually and would just ship our bikes via TriBike Transport (because that service is slick!). Fast forward a few months, friend Sonia found a great deal on a condo close to all the action, so we booked the unit below. And, Nick’s mom generously decided to drive to BC, bikes in tow, saving us a good chunk of change. As for everything else… we winged it once we arrived.

So, for those of you racing in 2014, here’s a little cheat sheet with some recommendations based on our fantastic experience there. Lucky you 😉

If you go (and, you should because it’s awesome)…

continuing to recover… and, what’s next.

In the two-plus weeks since Ironman Canada I’ve continued to eat like I’m still training – coconut macaroons for breakfast? Yes, please! – and occasionally have to remind myself that I did, in fact, race 140.6. It seems like eons ago and at times almost like it didn’t happen. Weird.

My body, however, tells me otherwise. I’ve ran just once since the race and while it wasn’t nearly as painful as I anticipated, I definitely could feel my legs. On the tired scale, three miles felt like 11.

There’s been quite a few miles put on the Madone since we’ve been home… 103 the second week after IM and another 110 this week. And, as much as I miss my Argon, it’s been enjoyable to hop on my bike and just ride, for fun and to explore some new routes around MSP.

ironman canada | the bike

Oh, the Ironman Canada bike!

There were many long, slow climbs (thank you, 12-27 cassette), screaming descents (top speed = 46.4 mph!) and smiles the entire way.

Like the swim, much of the bike is a blur. What I do remember: running through T1 and seeing a flash of my family, and my sister taking pics; the pros flying down the hills in the Callaghan Valley; crap, I forgot chamois butter!; being cold for the first 45 minutes (hence the arm warmers); the ridiculous pelotons on the flats near Pemberton; and, focusing on what Johnny told me: No nutrition for the first 40 minutes.

Not that there was a lot of time to snack right away. I was too busy taking in the breathtaking views, settling into my saddle, climbing up 10 percent grade mountains and bombing back down.

And, I loved LOVED every single second of it.

ironman canada | the swim

Race morning, August 25, started out like any other: 4a alarm, gluten-free PB+honey toast, double shot espresso and last minute gear check. Thirty minutes later, friend Sonia arrived and we were out the door to drop off our T2 bags near Olympic Plaza and hop the bus to Rainbow Park.

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!