News
Lucky Number 13...!
Posted September 1, 2007 11:42 AM
Now that the 25th Anniversary Edition of the Ironman Canada race is in the "history books" I am thrilled to be able to say that all 13 of my Ironman Tri-Star clients successfully completed the race.
As I was not competing in the race Bob and I spent the day trying to see as many of the group as possible at the swim start/exit, out on the bike course, at the turnaround point of the marathon, and at the finish line. This kept us extremely busy - I've often joked that spectating at an IM race is a more tiring day than actually competing and August 26th was no exception! We were up at 4:30am on Sunday morning and finally back home at 1:00am the next morning. I know for sure that some of my group had finished their race and been home and asleep for hours by that time of Monday morning!
Of the 13 Ironman Tri-Stars 8 were IronVirgins. All 8 got the job done and experienced an incredible day in their first IM race:
Adam led the pack with an amazingly fast race - this from someone who could only breastroke a year or so ago. He was so fast that except for a brief sighting as he exited the swim, he was never seen again for the rest of the day. We never caught up to him at any point until the next day!
Aynsley was also on fire the entire race. She went into the day with the intention of leaving it all out on the course - and she did, finishing in 11:24 and placing 10th, out of 77, in her age group (W25-29). She came within a hair's breadth of receiving a rolldown slot to Kona. Next time for sure!
Jacquelyn is a Tri-Star who lives and trains in Calgary. She's a dedicted multi-time marathoner and was able to draw on her experiences to triumph on IM race day. She had a tough day out on the bike with stomach issues causing her to have to back off on the intensity of her ride and marathon. She "gutted" out the day to finish strong with a big smile on her face.
Jon battled injuries throughout the training year but pulled off an incredible race when it counted. I knew he'd have an amazing attitude throughout the day and he certainly did. I've never seen anyone who mugged to the crowd as much as he did! Everyone was cheering wildly for him and he had one of the biggest support groups of friends and family from Victoria encouraging him all along the course. He had a smile on his face the entire race and I'm just thrilled for him.
Jim had a steady, solid race with the exception of a brief period during the crowded swim start. The largest mass swim start in IM history lived up to its name and to say that things were crowded would be a major understatement. Jim had a great bike and a very strong marathon to finish in just over 12 hours. Great race Jim!
Kristi and James got the job done in fine form. Both battled from annoying injuries throughout the year but hung in there, got the training done and triumphed on the day. I'm so proud of James for all the training he did with Kristi to help her to achieve her IM goal as well as his own. Kristi, in particular, is my hero of the day as she overcome a major fear of open water swimming to join 2500+ other people in Okanagan Lake for the start of the race. She, too, finished the day with a huge smile on her face as she came across the finish line with mere minutes until the final cutoff. Way to go Kristi - you are an Ironman!
Derrick also trained in Alberta mostly by himself during the long, cold winter and spring months. He had an amazingly strong bike ride at IMC, passing more than 800 cyclists. He is now sporting an IMC tattoo on his leg as a permanent reminder of his triumph.
The other 5 IM Tri-Stars had all completed at least one other IM race in previous years:
Jan's last race at IMC was in 2005. This year's race was a major personal best for her. Jan improved on her 2005 time by 1 hour 15 minutes by conquering and running the entire marathon which had proved to be her nemesis in her last 2 attempts at the IM distance.
Troy also last competed at IMC in 2005. His improvement this year was a finish time that was 57 minutes faster than his last effort! Wanting to finish in under 13 hours, Troy smashed that goal by more than 23 minutes. I believe a tattoo to commemorate his accomplishment is also in Troy's future.
Christiane did a "double" this year. She competed at IMLanzarote in May and also at IMC. She also had a major personal best by improving on her 2006 IMC finish time by over 1 hour 27 minutes. Christiane has Frankfurt and Penticton on her IM calendar for 2008.
Susan is a multi-time IMC finisher and was able to draw on her wealth of experience to have a great race. Training and travelling to the Long Distance World Championships in Lorient, France this past July, plus a very busy work schedule this year impacted on her training but IMC was still a very positive experience and Susan had a great time competing.
Alison was out on the course just over 20 minutes longer than her last time in 2005. However training this year was compromised with an injury plus a busy work and family schedule. Alison came across the finish line with her two girls at her side, and a wonderful smile on her face. Another time competing at IMC is definately in her future!
I have had an amazing time this year guiding my 13 Tri-Stars through their training for Ironman Canada. You guys rock...!! You're the best.
