TriTheWorld

This was our only Canadian stop and we had really looked forward to it for some time. Heathers race report covers much of the pre race goodies (Hmmm...roll reversal here??), so I will keep mine to the race.

I would call this one "a long day at the office" as the whole day seemed tough for me….MANY lesons learned on this one! After some great PR before the swim start (including a photo request of those two "from Ontario") we began the walk into the water.

It was super shallow for the first bit but then dropped off nicely and in we went. I found the sighting tough for this one. I am not sure if it was the minimal amounts of markers or if it was sun...but there was a ton of looking around going on. We stood up, out of the water way to soon, and ran through knee deep water which I found really tough. This was the first time we had stripers for a 70.3 event and it was SWEET! All went well into transition. I much prefer the tent transitions then the "bike rack" transition.

Heather and got to the mount line at the same time and headed out on the ride. I LOVE the scenery in Newfoundland BUT I will say this was not my favourite course. It was wide open and pretty flat or false flats (other than the 4k climb at the turn around) which lead to a nice wind in your face for the out part. Sure, you do get a tail wind on your way back, but the tough riding still takes it toll on me. I blew out my legs in the first 15k which made for a very long ride. I was able to see Heather on her way back in and it seems that she was having a great ride.
My only complaint about the ride course was that the water stations provided bottles of Gatorade that had the regular wide mouth openings...no "pull to" water bottle style that most stores carry. All I can say, is that I do believe there was more Gatorade on me and my bike than IN me!

Into transition I go, feeling spent but thinking that I only had a half mary to go....man, I have done too many of these for sure!!! The legs felt ok…no specific aches or pains, just spent. I was hot and was not gonna be setting any PB's today. I took in what I could, and was pumped to see they had ice, so I was able to lower my core temp.
Heather was running strong and looked in great form. I still had one last lap to do as she headed in, but was actually running better by this point than I was on the first lap. Coming in the chute I was quite glad that this day was done.
I spoke to Heather while I was still bent over in pain. She went and got me some water and Gatorade....what a sweetie!!! We also got to see Lisa come in strong....smile and everything!!!

Heathers reports mentions the Awards Dinner and the excitement of her 3rd place…man, you should really have seen it…it was priceless. I have never been so proud. I think was added to it, was that she was SOOO taken by surprise....a genuine show of happiness and shyness ALLLL built into one. All is said and done for Newfoundland 70.3.

Thanks to Q for all the photos he took that day. Also to Meroni and Sons Inc. for all their support for this race...thank you maniac. Not to be forgotten, John (run_longer) for his hospitality...he provided the most memorable "pre-post race" fun we have had yet.

When we got home from the east coast I built the bikes again as we had a press engagement the next day who was doing a "profile" on us. We are off to Antwerp today afternoon, so the bikes were broken down and packed up. Now, if I can just get rid of this post race cold and pinched neck....I would be all set!!!!