On March 7th, the start of my 2020 and Ironman season kicked off with the UBC Triathlon.
Having done this race before, I knew of the logistical and climatic challenges it held. It is always either raining and cold or sunny and cold. But always cold.
Jen and I were able to sleep in a bit as I was placed in the Olympic B group. This either meant I was getting faster, or that there were more first time triathletes in the A group. It was most likely a little of both.
We arrived at the race at 6:45 am and I proceeded to check in and set up transition. My spot was not great, but we were not as early as some of the other athletes.
After setting up, we walked to the aquatic center to drop off my wet bag and check in. We watched a bit of the first heat before I headed down to self seed in my heat.
After a short athlete briefing, we began to self-seed. It turns out there were alot of 30-35 minute swimmers. I had a feeling I was in for a crowded race.
As the line moved slowly forward, 10 seconds at a time, it was soon my turn to start. I dropped in and started my race.
I started out nice and steady, knowing I could pic up my pace as I settled into a rhythm.
In a pool swim race, the etiquette is if the swimmer behind you taps your feet, you let them pass at the wall. About 500 meter in, I tapped the swimmer in front of me. At the wall he paused for a few seconds, then took off, not letting me pass.
This happened a few more times before he stopped at the wall for a long period of time out of breath.
I took my turns fast like we learned with Coach Stewart. That week, I had even practiced my fast turns while going under the lane ropes for the lane changes.
At 900 meters, I tried to pass an athlete at the wall, only to have us both push off at the same time. At first I was upset she would not let me pass, until I realized there were several athletes in front of her not letting her pass.
When we finished out 1000 meters and exited the pool for a makeshift Australian Exit, I apologized to her and said that I was unaware of the crowd in front of her. She told it me it was all good and dropped back into the water for our final 500 meters.
The last 500 meters was a traffic jam. The same swimmers from before refused to let us pass, and the slower swimmers we dropped in behind were also not letting anyone pass.
Several swimmers started fighting for position and passing in the lane. There were several head on collision close calls.
I decided it was not worth the energy or the stress to try and fight my way through. I stayed at the back and drafted the mass of swimmers ahead of me.
Soon I was out of the water and headed outside to the change tent.
After waiting (longer than I should have) for a volunteer to hand me my wet bag, I went into the change tent to get ready for the run to T1 and the bike.
At T1, I got confused and went down the wrong row for my bike. I eventually found it and geared the rest of the way up. This being such a cold race, I was sure to dress appropriately. One of my teammates said I looked like a ninja.
The start of the bike was a gradual uphill. I took this time to warm up and hydrate. At the top of the incline I started to work a bit harder.
After a slight right around a rotary, I was headed downhill on 16th. I flew down the hill and into the sweeping right turn at speed. I kept that speed up until the first turn-around.
I took the turn wide and then settled back into my groove before doing a mini-serpentine to the other side of the road.
This next section was a gradual downhill on newly paved road. I got into my aero position and rode at at good clip all the way to the second turn-around.
Then it was a gradual incline back up the way I came. I did my best to work hard, but keep my power under 200 watts. There was still 3 more laps and a 10k run to do after all.
After climbing back up 16th and down the hill at the start, I was on lap 2.
All along the bike course, I saw teammates from both Coach Powell and Coach Stewart and I was sure to shout words of encouragement to them as we zoomed past one another.
Lap 2 went much like lap 1. I did start to pick up more speed on the down hill sections as I became more comfortable.
Lap 3 was more of the same. Although I did have to explain to one rider what drafting was and that it was illegal in this race.
On lap 3 and 4, as I climbed up 16th, I could see teammates on the run course and shouted to them.
Soon the bike was done and I was trotting to T2 to prepare for the run.
I walked out of transition and began run up the hill at the start of the course. I saw Jen at the top and turned left to start the long run to the football field.
After turning left, and old injury flared up. My left ankle seized and every footfall was agony. I tried to walk it off and started running again. It would not loosen up.
I pushed though as much as I could, running when/if I could. Everyone on the course was very encouraging.
I made my way around the football field, up the hill, back onto the Main Mall and past Jen at the fountain. She knew something was wrong based on my time. She told me to push through and that no matter what, I would finish,
I ran to the turnaround, back to Jen, down the hill, then up the hill to start lap 2.
Lap 2 was more of the same. Although, just before the football field, my ankle did loosen up. But by then I was not in a good place mentally. I began to pick up speed, but just as I started back up name of street, it started snowing.
I pushed through the last section of the last lap and best I could. I ran when I could, and walked when I had to.
By this time, the snow had stopped, and the sun was out. I ran down the hill, turned left and crossed the finish line.
I received my medal and paced around the finish area in a makeshift cool-down.
After talking with Jen, we went back to the pool so I could change, then to transition to pack up.
I was very upset with how the race went, but after some reflection and talking with Jen in the car, I realized that everything that happened was outside my control.
I had no control over the swimmers in front of me. All I could do was choose how I would react and I feel I did the right thing.
I had no control over an old injury flaring back up. All I could do was choose how I would react and I feel I did the right thing pushing through and doing what I could/had to do to finish.
I had no control over the weather. All I could do was plan accordingly and do what I could do on the day.
It is early in the season. I have plenty of time to get my speed, endurance, and fitness where it needs to be. I will continue to work hard and grow as an athlete as I continue on my journey to Ironman Arizona 2020.
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