Sylvan Lake Half Iron

Well the big day finally came, the day that I have been training for since October of last year. 

Before The Race

Saturday evening I meet my friend Cathy at the rec centre in Sylvan Lake for our pre-race meeting.  The meeting was quick and informative - good thing I went because we were informed of changes to our swim and run route.   The swim was originally going to be a 1 loop 2K swim but they changed it to a 2 loop swim - each loop being 1K.  The run was originally a 10.5K out and 10.5K back route but due to some flooding the route was changed to a 4 loop run each loop consisting of 5.5K. 

That evening we went out for a light dinner (which did not sit well in my stomach) then it was back to the hotel to get ready for the race.  Like any other race I got all my gear set up for the next day, once over done on the bike, food ready for the bike/run, water with eload ready, after race drink ready etc... I was pretty nervous about the swim, in fact I was freaking just a bit but Jeff calmed me down and said he was confident that I would complete it as I had already done 2K in the lake that week under 1 hours.

Race Day Morning

All 5 alarms went off at 6 a.m (wanted to make sure I got up).  Didn't shower - what's the point. 

Took me 15 minutes to get ready then Jeff and I were out the door to the swim start/T1 (Transition 1) where I would park my bike/gear and get my chip and body markings.  Our hotel (Best Western) was within walking distance the start. 

We got there a bit early so I did not have to stand in line for markings - bonus.  I had time to choose the spot I wanted for my bike and unpack my gear and organize myself.  Once I was unpacked I walked around for a bit, saw some friends (had 45 minutes to kill still race start) and then went for about a 10 minute run to warm up (something my coach taught me).  I then went back to my bike, sat on the curb and relaxed for 10 minutes till it was time to squeeze myself into my wetsuit of which I am now a pro at putting on.

2K Swim

We started at 8:00 a.m. and we only had 1:10 minutes to swim 2K (2 loops of 1K and that looked like a long way when I was actually in the water). 

We were asked to keep the buoys they had placed for us on our right hand side at all times. The lake was warm and very shallow - so we were only swimming in hip/chest deep water most of the swim.

About 200 of us were in the water and I ensured that I seeded myself at the back of the group.  I wasn't nervous just happy that I was there.  I had a plan and that was to do the first 250m nice and slow and then just keep swimming. 

Next thing I know we had started and I stuck to my plan - the first 250m was nice and slow, warmed my body up and then just kept swimming.   At one point I looked at my watch and it read 24 minutes - I was doing well.  I was smooth in the water and actually enjoyed being there.  My breathing was great, I didn't bump into anyone and I sighted pretty well only going off course once or twice. 

Finally I was done the swim - 56 minutes. Whew I made it, I would be allowed to go on to my next event - 90K ride.  Was this a good or bad thing?  Guess I would find out.

90K Ride

Everyone had 4 1/2 hours to complete the bike course, all riders had to be off the course 1:30 pm or you were disqualified.

Getting out of the water was slippy, the race director "Joe" helped everyone out of the water - thought that was really nice.  My hubbie, mum and dad were there yelling "Go Maria Go".  As I made my way to my bike I heard the race announcer say "participant 117, Maria Wilson has just go out of the water in a time of 56 minutes.  This is Maria's first 1/2 Iron".  I was proud.

Got to my bike, changed into my riding gear and I was off. 

We started on HWY 11A which is slightly uphill...from there we were on HWY 766, a somewhat flat ride with rolling hills ....next we turned onto Township Road 400 another slightly uphill route till you got to the first aid station at about 40K at which point you got to go downhill.  At this point in the race I had not seen another ride since 15K - I was all alone.  So, I decided this would be a good time to fart - yes I had to fart so I stood up on bike and let one rip - at which one another ride blew past me. How embarrassing! 

Then the turnaround.  But guess what, you had to turn around and go up the hill you just came down - NICE.  I went back down Township Road 400 to the dreaded HWY 12.  We warned to save ourselves for this part of the ride as it is hilly and they weren't joking and not only that but the HWY was in need of repair, I was lucky I didn't get a flat. 

Again, I was all alone.  No one in front of me, no one behind me.  I was tired, fed up and my neck and back were killing me.  I wanted this to be done!  I kept look at my watch to ensure I was on track with my timing, so far I was ok.

I came to the next and last aid station about 65K and 2 hills done and behind me.  Took some water from a really nice volunteer and was told I had 2 more hills ahead of me before it was all down hill to the finish.  So, off I went climbing hills and making my way to the finish. 

At about 80K I saw a truck picking up cones from the race course, it was the bike race course director.  I stopped and I think he could see the panic in my face, I was the last bike on the course and I didn't have much time to get to the finish.  He calmed me down, said I was doing great I was almost there but I had 1 more hill, and 2 little hills in my future.  OMG

I don't remember much after this but what I do remember is that I need to boot it to the finish...I only had 45 minutes or so left could I do it?  I was in tears...I thought if I was to get a DNF it would be in the swim not the bike.  Up, up, up the hill I went - down the hill I went - up the next smaller hill I went - down the hill I went - up the last smaller hill I went and finally down.  Next thing I know I saw the sign "2K to Vulcan"  so I booted it. 

I made it to the finish line with 20 minutes or so to spare all my family and friends were there cheering me on (Jeff, Mum, Dad, Syd, Sarah, Donovan, Greg, Tina, Phil, Eric, Michelle and Ken).

I made it to stage 3 of my race - the run.  I was proud.

The Run

You had to be finished your run by 4:30 p.m. our you would be disqualified.

As I said earlier this was a 4 loop course, I enjoyed it for several reasons:

1. You did not have to worry about distance, just how many loops you had.
2. You hit the same water station 1/2 way thru each 5K run so you did not have to carry water and the volunteers at this station got to know what I wanted each time I passed by - 1 water, 1 Gatorade and ice to put down my bra.
3. I got to see all my family and friends at the turnaround - 8 times - they were the loudest cheering section there - I was proud and happy they were all there.
4. People had their sprinklers on for us which I got to run thru 8 times.
5. A wonderful lady had a hose out and she would spray you with it - she stayed for all my loops and soaked me each time I went past.  I loved it!
6. My friend Matt, who ran the race and is doing IM in August, passed each other 6-7 times (he was ahead of me) and we kept giving each other high fives.\

My last loop at the turnaround I heard the announcer say "there is 1:10 minutes left in the race and runner 117, Maria Wilson, has 5K left to go".  I was tired, but continued on.  There were only 4 people left on the course (me being 1 of them) and I finished with about 1/2 hour left in the race.  

I had been on the course for 8 hours and I was done.  I crossed that finished line with pride and yes I cried as I hugge one of the most important people in the world to be whose paitent and support helped get to the finish line - Jeff my hubbie.

My actual times for this event were as follows:

Swim: 56:34
T1: 3:30
Bike: 4:12
T2: 1:47
Run: 2:47

Overall a great first Half Iron, but hard, hardest thing I have every done, but as the saying goes...

"if it were easy everyone would do it". 

Thank you to my family and friends who supported me on the days leading up to this race and on the day itself.