Bulldozer in an F1 Race. : 2025 UBC Duathlon (and other updates)

Before getting into the race report, a quick update on other "smaller" events that have happened between last fall and now.

On October 26, 2024 I ran the Great Trek 10k. This was originally planned to be my last half marathon of the year, but the bike crash in April derailed this one as well. But I had a decent run in 1:26.18

On November 2nd, 2024 I swam in the Winskill Otters' Ottermania Master Swim Meet. I had not competed in a meet for a few years and wanted to get back into it. However, this was probably not the best meet to get back with as it was a long course meet (50 meter pool). I arrived early to help count laps for a fellow swimmer doing the 1500m event.

I competed in the:

100m Free with a time of 1:41.86, coming in 4th in my age group and 7th in my heat.

100m Breast with a time of 2:11.27, 2nd in my age group and 4th in my heat

50m Back with a time of 1:05.81, 3rd in my age group, and 7th in my heat.
50m Free with a time of 40:.72, 8th in my age group, 4th in my heat

I did the 100 meter Breast in our 400m Mixed Medley relay with a time of 2:10.47 and 100m Free in our Men's 400 Free Relay in 1:42.88.

The Men's 400 relay was the last event of the day and all 4 of us were exhausted. The good news was that we were the only team in our category. So as long we did not get disqualified, we would come in first and get maximum points.

Then on February 8th, 2025 I swam in the EBSC's Love to Swim Masters Swim Meet. This was a short course meet and I had actually been training for it.

I competed in the:
100m Free in 1:32.61, took 6th in my age group, and won my heat!
50m Freein 38:50, 9th in my age group and won my heat!
100m Breast in 1:54.35, 5th in my age group, 2nd in my heat.
200m Free in 3:24.72, 2nd in my age group and 2nd in my heat.

I did the 50m back in our relay in a time of 1:02.27 and the 50m free in another relay in a time of around 40 seconds. There was an issue with the official results

I was feeling really good that day and set several personal bests. I paced the longer events better than I ever have before.

On January 12th, 2025 Thomas, Henry, and I ran the IceBreaker kids 1k. And Jen rain the 8k.

Now onto the main event.

I arrived at UBC earlier than I needed to be there. I wanted to get setup and watch some of the swim. I have stated in the past why I no longer do the triathlon at this event.

I took time to walk transition as I always do before a race, and even went back and moved my bike to save me those precious millisecond. All sarcasm there. But I did move my bike.

I went inside and watched some of the swim until it was time to get ready. I walked to my car, geared up and met at the designated spot.

After a bit of stretching, it was time to line up according to run pace. I turned around and walked directly to the back. I met a fellow runner name Miriam. We chatted for a bit and decided to run together.

As we made our way out to the start, I saw my family and got a quick picture.

We walked to the start line and waited for our makeshift waves to start. This year we started at the bottom of the hill.

Run 1

I started the run off nice and easy and chatted with my pace buddy, Miriam. We chatted away about our motivations and goals. At one point we were asked if we were a Mother-Son team. We said no, just new found friends with the same run pace.

Once we got to the Rose Garden my ankle was acting up, so Miriam went on ahead. The course was 2 laps with several out-and-backs, so there was was plenty of encouragement given and received.

At the end of lap one, my oldest informed me that he had some cookies. I joked and asked him if he saved me any. I looked and saw my youngest fast asleep in the stroller, After a high-five from my oldest, I was off onto lap 2.

I picked up the pace on the second lap, but still kept it in control. I knew that even though the distances were relatively short, the mental game would be a tough one.

Bike

I found my bike and took my time gearing up. I had placed my bike shoes in a plastic bag to keep them dry and placed my running shoes in the bag. They were already soaked but I did not want them waterlogged.

I had put a swim cap on the seat to keep it dry (again, it made no difference) so I ripped it off and made my way to the mount line.

When I got to the mount line, I saw the swim cap on my pedal. I reached down, grabbed it, and stuck in my leg pocket. I am not sure what the penalty was for littering on course, but I was not about to find out.

The bike was an absolute SLOG.

It was cold. It was pouring. It was windy.

At first I tried to avoid puddles to keep my feet as dry as I could. But I soon learned it was pointless and just rode.

Even though it was cold, I forced myself to drink. It is much easier to remember to drink on hot days. During cold races, I find it harder to keep on top of it.

I kept a good pace on the way out knowing the way back was a long false flat with a hill. I had no power meter on this bike as I opted to ride my gravel bike (with road tires).

I climbed the hill at 16th and mad my way onto the second lap.

Now I was COLD.

I began to have thoughts of not doing the last run and dropping out. I told myself to at least start the run. I had good experience with the whole "Just start and see how you feel" thing a few years ago.

I saw several other athletes from our Train Smart and Swim Smart groups as the Standard Distance race was now under way.

Soon the second lap was done and I was racking my bike. But not before throwing away the swim cap in my pocket.

I took my time in transition due to the fact that I could not feel my feet.

Run 2

The second run was tough. I was feeling good physically, but mentally I was beat.

Luckily, this was remedied by the fact that even more Standard Distance Athletes and now Sprint Distance athletes were out on the run course. The encouragement received and encouragement given bolstered my mood.

Once again, I saw my family at the end of each lap. My kids were always excited to see me.

When I once again reached the Rose Garden, I pushed a little harder. My watch alerted me it was time for a walk break, but I wanted to be done.

I turned left down the hill and left to the finish.

After the finish I knew I was going to get cold, so I immediately went back to the car and got into some dry clothes. I then met up with my family, had a coffee and a cookie, and played with my kids a bit.