Ironman Canada... Quite a day...

Ironman Canada has come and gone for another year. This was a new experiencefor me in that it was the first time I was there not as an athlete / coach, but only as a coach. Now that it's over and I can reflect on what the day was like, I can say that racing is easier. Supporting, cheering, riding the Ironman rollercoaster of ups and downs through the days with all of my athletes is a much more challenging way to spend a day than when my focus is on me. It was also equally as rewarding; maybe more so, than when I race.

There are so many Ironman stories from the athletes, specatators, family members. I very much hope you get to share them with my team. We have started an "Athlete Blog" link in the hope that people lurking around our website can go there and get a feel for what TTL athletes are up to. Thanks to Ken for doing that for me.

For me the day was about sharing on so many levels. There was our team of amazing Ironman athletes. We saw a few of them in the morning, had hugs, well wishes... by then my job is done. I can only support. There was the team of Team Tri Life supporters. We had more folks in orange and purple on the sidelines as in the race! Then there was the spouses and children of our athletes. They were there to cheer but I know that deep down inside there is always that bit of worry... is he OK? How did Richter go? Is her nutrition working? Did he flat? Daddy... when is Mommy coming? All those questions and really, all a spouse can do is wait. It's a hard job.

Highlights for me through the day are many. Listening to the most beautiful rendition of O' Canada then watching 2600 athltes take off across the lake was nothing short of spectacular. Then it was a quick potty break in the Lakeside Inn (a flush toilet with running water on IM day! WOW!)... and off to watch our athletes out on the bike.

We stood on the corner and screamed our heads off counting them as they went by. At times it was like watching a swarm of bees in colorful outfits trying to pull out TTL colors. Poor Jason... he didn't have a TTL jersey, but we still managed to see him through the day! Siobhan was lost too. I saw her once when she was coming in on the bike, and that was only because she yelled at me!

As we counted down our swimmers turned cyclists we knew the day was underway. Ken survived (yah!), Michael with the shoulder cracked in 2 places got out of the swim and on to his bike. Step 1 down... now could he manage 180k ride on an injured shoulder that hadn't been outside on a bike in a month? Joanne came out 15 min earlier than my time estimate! GO JOZ GO! Sarah and Chad ROCKED the swim! Rena, Cindy, Carla, Hope and Tracey were smiling ear to ear! Jason looked focused and ready to tackle the day. Kelvin... he had a great swim! It was very exciting to see him! Richelle... she was smiling and little did we know she wouldn't stop for the rest of the day! It was a great start! I was off to breakfast.

There was a lot of talk about what could happen on the bike. I had some people at home on their computers sending me updates, but the only timing mat on the bike course is on Richters, so apart from that progress on the bike is unknown. I was carefully checking time and average speed to that point whenver I got updates, creating excitement for some atheltes and perhaps a bit of worry for others. Why are they slower than I anticipated? Maybe they're a bit fast... are they excecuting their race plan? All I can do at this point is wonder and know they are prepared to have their best day. The questions still come no matter how much I tell myself that.

As our Team comes in on the bike I'm so proud and amazed at the pieces of their day I get as they ride by. (I was at Cherry Lane Mall... a GREAT place for me to spend the day as I saw them coming and going bike and run.) Rena flatted twice, Michael had crashed again but was OK and going to make it through the ride... only road rash. Cindy had crashed and was a bit out of it. Sarah was flying and smiling. Kelvin... he was struggling but still moving forward. Richelle...smiles and screams of "I'm doing an Ironman" as she rode by. (I thought that might have worn off by that point! It didn't!) Hope feeling GREAT! JoZ made the cut off. So many stories... a mini celebration as each went by. Now on to the tough part... the run!

I loved where I was on the course because I got to run with each athlete as they went by. I missed Siobhan and Jay... I apologize for that. (Neither were in TTL gear... a poor excuse on my part, but the only one I have!) A quick little chat and I offered final words of advice as the headed out to Skaha. I got a hug from some, others told me they felt great, some didn't feel so good. Cindy was in a bit of shock from her crash. I told her to look forward and remember her box. What happened behind her is over and done. No more energy in that direction... only look forward. Michael didn't feel great, neither did Ken, but both were moving well. Carla looked like she was fresh as a daisy, and Richelle was still smiling screaming "I'm doing an Ironman". Kelvin was walking and in some pain. He asked how Sarah was and I told him she was flying. He had a very emotional moment right then... well deserved and heart felt. His goal was to finish... I had no doubt he would, but I knew it would be a long day. Hope said she felt GREAT! JoZ was on her way out. Rena and Tracey were running hard... both were tired but moving well. Chad was flying... Whoa Chad... it's a long way to go!!!!!

Now the second biggest wait of the day was about to start. I was very lucky to have spotters on the course and TTL volunteers at the finish line. Annie, John, Caroline, Susan... we had a network of communication that kept us abreast of how people looked, what they were saying, and where they were in their Ironman day. That is one of my favorite parts of Ironman this year. The sharing amongst the specatators. My thumbs are still recovering from the texting... but it was well worth it! I also had my buddy Chris on his computer at home sending me updates throughout the day. Without him and my sister Nadine I would have been lost. Thank you to both of you.

I got an update that Chad was on his way home. He was the first TTL athlete, I let our finish line supports know he was coming, and ran with him for a few seconds. He was beyond talking... eyes straight forward but running. Sarah was next... unfortunately I was in the bathroom... SORRY Sarah!!! Then came Ken. He was a hurting unit let me tell you. I think the words "Stupid Ironman" came out of his mouth. He had had a tough day but was getting it done. I was off to the finish line for Ken... (He didn't really mean that... he'll be back at the start line one day soon.)

As I was waiting for Ken the texts were flying... Richelle was at the Sicamouse, Cindy was close, Tracey was about to finish... Carla and Rena were great! I ran from the meet and greet area to the finish to try to see what I could. John, Yolanda and Shannon were catching the finishers. All smiles and some tears. Again, our TTL supporters were a HUGE part of the day.

I can't begin to tell you how much this day meant to me. To see people I have grown close to over the year accomplish their goals and dreams. Seeing Sarah after a 1 hour PR, getting a hug from Chad as he cried thanking me for making his lifelong dream of finishing an Ironman come true. Knowing that Tracy had a hard day after an emotional week but still PR'd. Rena... had the day of her life in spite of 2 flats. No excuses. She was all smiles when all was said and done. Richelle... the happiest Ironman alive. She raced happy and exceeded expectations. Cindy had a 40 min PR in spite of the crash. How did she do that? Carla... she qualified at Great White North and was a nervous wreck for a few weeks after taking the spot. She cruised through the day and made it look easy. Ken... he said the easiest part of the day was his swim??? That tells me he had a tough one out there. Jason... he had a challenging few months leading up to the race with his fiance Sarah having to pull out and go from athlete to supporter. His goal was to finish strong and smiling... check! He got it done. Hope... she pr'd her swim, pr'd her bike, and was in great spirits heading out on the run. Unfortunately her heel didn't like the challenge of an Ironman mary, and she was forced to walk from 17 miles on. Seeing Hope on the run course with 5k to go was a hard part of my day. She was so sad and dissappointed in her day. It wasn't what she envisioned. It was also out of her hands as her heel could only take so much. She would get it done. Michael went from feeling awful on the way out, to telling me "This is cool" on the way in. He had ran the last 10k and while it wasn't the IM day he originally thought he'd have before the crash, he got it done! Wow... that is a testiment of the power of the Ironman spirit. Kelvin... a big hug and tears for him. I walked with him for a minute. I did the math, and knew he would make the cutoff. I called Sarah to let her know he'd do it. She never gave up, and I don't think she sat down. She needed to know he was safe. He got it done. JoZ... she made the bike cut off this year... next time she will get to the run turn around in time. She learned so much, and while the outcome was not what she wanted... she knows this is only the start of a lifetime of triathlon, training, friends, and Ironman races. Baby steps...

I'm writing this a week and a half after the race, and I'm amazed at how emotional I still can be at the stories. Cindy's mantra was 'Angie said expect the unexpected"and our day rang true to that from start to finish.

Thank you to all of our Ironman Athletes for letting me along for this ride. I've watched you train, question your abilities, believe in yourself, plan, nurture friendships, support each other, and be amazing human beings throughout the last year or more. I am so thankful that I have all of you in my life and on my team.

Recover well and celebrate. It was one heck of a day.