Top Ten Again!

My ninth Ironman (fourth Ironman Canada) is in the books, and I finished 7th of 298 in the 45-49 age group (76th of 2588 overall) on an overcast and very windy day. My age group was very competitive in the top ten, with only six minutes separating second through eighth place. This is my fourth top-ten in nine Ironmans; including 10th at Ironman Canada 2004, 1st at Ironman Wisconsin 2005, and 2nd at Ironman Arizona 2006.

This is my best result at Ironman Canada, in terms of age-group finish, overall finish, bike split and run split. My marathon was second-fastest in the age group. My run pace was sub-8 minute miles, which was my goal pace. The swim, well let's just say I made a bonehead mistake which I will explain in the forthcoming race report.

Considering what I've been through the last four months, I'm very pleased with this result, and I felt very strong throughout the bike, and miles 2 through 24 of the marathon. I had to go to "plan B" on several issues, and it was very satisfying that it worked. Coach Kev says the most successful triathletes are also the best problem-solvers, so you need to have a plan B, and maybe even a plan C, just in case.

I feel this result really validates the work Kevin and I did together the last four months, and the treatment I received at Calgary Sports Therapy. Following the bike crash, I never for one minute doubted that I would do this race, and all of the above backed me 100%, and helped make it happen.

I'll follow shortly with a full race report. In the meantime, I have some blisters to pop, and I need to send an email to the doctor who told me to forget about doing Ironman Canada!

Below, the top ten finishers in my age group. Only six minutes separated 2nd from 8th place.