Vancouver Half Ironman

Nice and early in the morning in the transition area. My friend Bob in his last race before the Ironman Canada race in Penticton. Bob and I ran our first marathon in grade 12, although there were some years of inactivity, we both have been doing lots of running and triathlons into our 40 somethings!!

The fun begins!!! I think I am still way in the back on the beach.

This race you had to come up on the beach and run around a pilon. My only chance to pass anyone seems as I am a better runner than swimmer.

Ok,, a race with a "no passing zone" !! Note the frustration on my face as I am told by the officials not to pass as the rider in front flosses his teeth. The next lap I made sure to take nutrition here as I wasted time, and the next lap got stung by a wasp. May as well get it done while you are coasting :) Actually it is a good idea for safety here not to pass as on the last lap there was a bike in the ditch on top of the rider with a guilty looking person looking on. I hope he was OK.

This run is the nicest ever. Running along the ocean on a nice path with gorgeous views. A few treed sections that are nice when you are in the shade.

I was a bit surprised that I was able to break the 5 hour mark, but I was very happy!! I actually only slept about 4 hours the night before, so I learned not to get uptight about a poor sleep.

Just a small part of the Bree Wee Fan Club. Bree http://breeweehawaii.blogspot.com/ was 2nd pro women behind her Lifesport team mate Magali http://magalitisseyre.blogspot.com/ . I met Bree at the Vancouver Half Ironman in 2008 and she has been a great inspiration.

The alarm went of at 4:15 am and after the race and some visiting with friends, my son and his fiance, a ferry ride (after I missed the one I was trying for) back to the Island I am home at 11pm with a bit of a mess to clean up the next day:) A good way to recover!!