This report will cover the first half of 2026 and includes the UBC Sprint Triathlon, The Longest Day 10k, and the VictoriaHalf Standard Distance Triathlon.
UBC Sprint Triathlon
As I stated in my last entry, 2026 is a continuation of short course racing. And on March 7, 2026 I raced the UBC Sprint Triathlon. Those who have read any of race reports know I usually race the duathlon due to my mixed feelings about the swim. But my coaches wanted me swimming.
I arrived at UBC early despite my later start time. I wanted to get a prime transition spot and cheer on people I knew doing the other distances.
After setting up my transition area, I checked in and dropped off my wet bag. Since UBC is a pool swim with a long transition from Swim to Bike, we are given a wet bag to use as a little mini transition before transition.
Once my start group was called, we lined up according to our self seed time. I had made a mistake and given my time based 750m and the swim was only 700m. One swimmer was way faster than the rest of us and she lined up first. The next 3 swimmers (including me) all had the same estimated time. We decided we would work together. This is not something I would usually do in the swim, but seeing as it was not open water, I was going to allow it.
The Swim
I dropped into the water and was off. After about 150 meters, I felt a tap on my toe. This is the signal to wait at the wall and let the swimmer behind pass. A rule that, in the past, was not followed very well by first time swimmers. This is the frustrating reason I started doing the Duathlon instead.
I let the 2 swimmers pass me and took my spot in the back of our 3 swimmer pace line.
The start of the race had been delayed due to an issue on the bike course. In an attempt to get the schedule back on track, the race officials shortened the breaks between wave starts. So about halfway through the swim, we caught up with the tail end of the wave that started before us. Surprisingly, every single swimmer we came upon waited at the wall for use to pass. I was shocked.
Our triplet moved at a good pace and soon I was getting out of the water.
I had everything in my bag stacked in the order I needed it. Once I had on warmer clothes, I decide to put on my gloves while on the move. I dropped my wet back in the bin and made my way to transition.
The Bike
I got to my bike, put on my helmet and shoes, and I was off. But not before waving to my biggest little fans.
I got to my bike, put on my helmet and shoes, and I was off. But not before waving to my biggest little fans.
I made up time on the downhill and took the first turn around under control. Then it was a speedy net downhill to the second turn around. It was during this section of the course that I realized that I had lost enough weight, I could now drink from my aero bottle while in the aero position.
After the turn around it was a false flat back to the hill on 16th. I kept the climb under control to save energy for lap 2 and the run.
I gained some speed on the second lap and soon I was at the dismount line.
The ground was wet so I took my time running with the bike in my cleats.
The Run
After T2, I started the run. I once again saw my family and got some high fives.
The start of the run was up a hill so I opted to walk up to give myself some time to shake out the legs. Once at the top, I started to run.
I was pushing hard and felt my pacing was off. But every time I tried to reign it in, I ended up settling back in the faster speed. I guess this was the pace my body wanted to go.
After the turn around it was a false flat back to the hill on 16th. I kept the climb under control to save energy for lap 2 and the run.
My heart rate was climbing on the second lap. I wanted to be fast but also be in control. I was getting a bit worried I was pushing too hard, but it all still felt manageable.
I gained some speed on the second lap and soon I was at the dismount line.
The ground was wet so I took my time running with the bike in my cleats.
The Run
After T2, I started the run. I once again saw my family and got some high fives.
The start of the run was up a hill so I opted to walk up to give myself some time to shake out the legs. Once at the top, I started to run.
I was pushing hard and felt my pacing was off. But every time I tried to reign it in, I ended up settling back in the faster speed. I guess this was the pace my body wanted to go.
Both laps of the run went about the same. I was gaining speed, pushing hard, and feeling good. I got the last turn around and started to push (more) to the finish.
I made the left turn and finished strong
I felt really good at this race. With the weight lose and other health improvements, my running has gotten faster. I was happy the swim was not as frustrating as it had been in the past.
Swim: 0:15:51
T1: 0:07:08
Bike: 0:44:15
T2: 0:04:22
Run: 0:38:09
Total: 1:49:43
Longest Day 10k
This was a strange one as it was at night, so all day I had to watch what I ate.
Not really much to go over here. I was once again able to push pretty hard on this one. As stated before, my running has gotten faster and stronger.
I started off pretty easy and in the back of the pack. I knew full well that by lap 2 I would be passing everyone who went out to hard.
Sure enough, by lap 2 I was passing people as they fell off their pace. I crossed the finish line feeling spent, but was happy I was able to push as hard as I did.
Victoria Half (Standard Distance) Triathlon
The next race I did was the Victoria Half (Standard Distance) Triathlon on July 12th.
The next race I did was the Victoria Half (Standard Distance) Triathlon on July 12th.
This course is very similar to the Ironman 70.3 Victoria and was therefore familiar territory. When we arrived for bike check in, I was shocked at how small transition was. I had always seen this race advertised and knew several athletes who have race it, so I just assumed it was bigger.
On race day, the family and I took the shuttle to the race start. I setup my transition while the boys played at the local park. We watched the half distance start and then it was time to suit up.
I was happy to once again be able to squeeze into my old wetsuit from years ago. And I received several comments on wetsuit secret weapon: Gardening Gloves. They help you get a good grip on the suit material and pull/tug for that perfect fit, They also help protect your suit from those pesky, tiny finger nail tears.
The Swim
The swim line up was supposed to be self seeded, but everyone just kind of clumped together randomly. I decided to start in the back. Always better to be the swimmer swimming over people, than having people swimming over you.
I started out nice and slow, taking my time and sighting the sailing club that lined up perfectly with the buoys. The water was warm and there was no current (lake swim).
I began to pass people almost immediately, but the pack was still relatively spread out. Even at the first turn buoy, the normal race congestion was very minimal. I took the turn and had a clear line of sight to the second turn buoy.
I began to pass people almost immediately, but the pack was still relatively spread out. Even at the first turn buoy, the normal race congestion was very minimal. I took the turn and had a clear line of sight to the second turn buoy.
For some reason, the race pack was veering way to the left. I kept my line and soon I was at the second turn.
The sun was now on my right and I had to close my eyes when breathing to keep from being blinding. I can hear my swim coach now as he reads this, "Well learn to breathe on the left!" For the record I can, I just choose not to.
The sun was now on my right and I had to close my eyes when breathing to keep from being blinding. I can hear my swim coach now as he reads this, "Well learn to breathe on the left!" For the record I can, I just choose not to.
As we made our way back to shore, I was catching even more swimmers. I had to keep my focus (and composure) as swimmers constantly zig-zagged in front of me.
By now the sun was behind the tree line and it was much easier to navigate. I swam all the way up to shore, popped up, and was on my way.
By now the sun was behind the tree line and it was much easier to navigate. I swam all the way up to shore, popped up, and was on my way.
For some reason, I could not find my zipper cord. So yet again, here are videos/photos of me looking confused with my am behind my head.
You do not want to take your cap and goggles off right away, because now they occupy one of your much needed 2 hands. Both of which you need to take off your wetsuit. So when taking off my wetsuit, I take one arm out, then grab my cap and goggles then release them as I pull them through the other sleeve. Both hands are free and I know where my cap and goggle are.
Unfortunately I found out later that only may cap got caught in my sleeve and I lost my open water goggles. I either need to make sure my goggles are inside my cap or abandon this technique.
I also tried something new this race. I had my cycling gloves in a ziplock bag in my back pocket. The idea was to put on my cycling gloves on the move to save time during transition.
You do not want to take your cap and goggles off right away, because now they occupy one of your much needed 2 hands. Both of which you need to take off your wetsuit. So when taking off my wetsuit, I take one arm out, then grab my cap and goggles then release them as I pull them through the other sleeve. Both hands are free and I know where my cap and goggle are.
Unfortunately I found out later that only may cap got caught in my sleeve and I lost my open water goggles. I either need to make sure my goggles are inside my cap or abandon this technique.
I also tried something new this race. I had my cycling gloves in a ziplock bag in my back pocket. The idea was to put on my cycling gloves on the move to save time during transition.
When putting in my wetsuit, Jen asked me if I was afraid the bag would fall out. At the time I said no.
But they did.
But they did.
Luckily, when I looked behind me, there on the ground only about 5 feet away. And with wet hands, they were very hard to put on. The amount of time I would have saved was lost in the seconds it look to go back and retrieve them. Not a strategy I will use again. In fact, for olympic and sprint distances, I may forgo gloves all together. I still have not decided on that. I will have to practice some longer rides in training sans gloves.
I finished my transition and headed to the mount line
The Bike
I started the bike nice and easy. I had driven the course the day before and new the start was a series of rolling hills. I used the descents to gain speed for the climbs.
I geared down and made the right turn onto West Saanich. I knew there was a hill right after the turn and did not want to drop a chain. Others were not so lucky or observant.
The course had good road conditions overall and although it was not a closed course, the majority the roads included a bike lane.
I navigated some more rolling hills before hitting a big hill the 10k mark. I took this very easy. I knew there were more hills (and we had to do them all twice). Oh and I still had to run 10k after. What is wrong with me?
After a right turn on Wallace, we had a nice flat section. We hit the second big hill and then came back down. I was happy I drove the course the day before, because halfway down this hill was a sharp right turn. It would be tricky to navigate if you didn't know it was there.
I got stuck behind a flatbed truck for a bit, but he soon turned off. A few more rolling hills then onto Lap 2.
Lap 2 went about the same as Lap 1, although I felt more comfortable on a few of the more technical sections.
At the end of the lap, we turned left to head back to transition. After even more rollers and some fun twisties, we were back at the dismount line.
I ran my bike in, racked it, then prepped for the run.
But not before a high five and a hug from my 2 biggest little fans.
It took a bit of time for me to find my legs. The bike was considerably more hilly than I anticipated and the run was primarily a trail run. I do much better on flat, hard surfaces. Odd for someone my size.
I soon settled into a rhythm and was making good time.
About 7k into the run, the effort of the day was beginning to catch up with me. At this point, the trees opened up and I could see the finish line. I pointed across the lake like a baseball player calling his shot.
At 9.1k, I told myself I was going to push and run it all the way in.
And push I did.
About 7k into the run, the effort of the day was beginning to catch up with me. At this point, the trees opened up and I could see the finish line. I pointed across the lake like a baseball player calling his shot.
At 9.1k, I told myself I was going to push and run it all the way in.
And push I did.
I saw my family and kept pushing to the finish. The announcer called my name and my time. I was a bit upset about my time when I heard it. But, I needed to take time to properly evaluate the day before I would worry about that.
Even though triathlons have their set distances (Ironman, 70.3, Standard, Sprint, etc), there is no Apples-to-Apples comparison. Every course is so different and the transitions are always different distances/setups. I needed to take all this into account before decided if it was a bad time or not.
Overall, I am happy with my result. It was a very hilly bike, a run that involved some technical trail running, and a unique transition.
Swim: 0:35:01
T1: 0:03:11
Bike: 1:49:09
T2: 0:02:37
Run: 1:26:06
Total: 3:56:04
Some things to consider: Was the gloves-on-the-run into T1 worth it? How do I keep with my hydration on the bike when a hilly course offers little opportunity to do so safely? I need to up my brick workouts to better train my legs off the bike.
All in all, a good day. And a race I'd definitely do again. But the standard or sprint, not 4 laps of that bike course at the half iron distance.
Even though triathlons have their set distances (Ironman, 70.3, Standard, Sprint, etc), there is no Apples-to-Apples comparison. Every course is so different and the transitions are always different distances/setups. I needed to take all this into account before decided if it was a bad time or not.
Overall, I am happy with my result. It was a very hilly bike, a run that involved some technical trail running, and a unique transition.
Swim: 0:35:01
T1: 0:03:11
Bike: 1:49:09
T2: 0:02:37
Run: 1:26:06
Total: 3:56:04
Some things to consider: Was the gloves-on-the-run into T1 worth it? How do I keep with my hydration on the bike when a hilly course offers little opportunity to do so safely? I need to up my brick workouts to better train my legs off the bike.
All in all, a good day. And a race I'd definitely do again. But the standard or sprint, not 4 laps of that bike course at the half iron distance.
