Journal
Ironman Canada Race Report
09.04.07
I raced Ironman Canada on August 26th, 2007. This was
the 25th anniversary of the race and brought out some
of the toughest competition. Race morning was perfect
for the 2.4 mile swim in Okanagan Lake. The pro men
and women started together and had a very fast swim
start, but once we spread out the rest of the swim
course was pretty uneventful. I passed a small group
of guys about half way in and did the rest of the swim
solo, coming out of the water 2 minutes in the lead.
I followed the lead car onto the roads for the 112
mile bike feeling strong. The first 40 miles are
pretty flat and fast and I maintained my advantage
over the other pro women with only the lead car (and a
few photographers) to keep me company. Once we turned
the corner at mile forty we started climbing Richter
pass which was 11k long. There was a rewarding
descent on the back side, but there was also a huge
headwind! Wow, it was strong! and it was a head wind
all the way back to town for about 60miles (except for
half of one little out and back section)! The rest
of the course was a few rollers and one more
significant climb before a 12 mile descent back into
town (only partially fun due to the headwind making it
feel like it was an uphill road...). I increased my
lead and came off the bike with a 4 minute advantage
on the field. It was a pretty amazing feeling coming
back into town behind the lead car with tons of fans
lining the streets.
After a quick transition I was behind my lead car
again and onto the run. I knew some of my competitors
were stronger runners than me, so my plan was to just
start running and not look back. I continued to lead
the race until mile 10.5 before I was passed by the
eventual champion. The run is a simple 26.2 mile out
and back course and is tough mentally until you are
back within 5 miles of town and the streets are lined
with people. I had a decent run and was able to pick
it up a bit the last 6 miles or so heading into town.
I was passed by two other women during the middle of
the run course and eventually finished 4th.
This was my best Ironman finish in a PR of 9:51. It
was also the first time I have led a race for over 8.5
hours!! Check OLN in a few months, as I'm sure to be
a focus of the TV coverage of the race..