Bracebridge Half Iron - by Lynne Atkinson

Aug 9, 2009

My goal heading into this race was to just get through the duration within the allowed time. I knew going into it that I wasn't going there to compete with anyone but myself because I can't put in the same hours per week to train as others can (don't have them) and the calibre of racers that this duration attracts is higher than me. So no rose coloured glasses here. My goal was to complete in 7:30 but the difficulty level added an extra hour to my time which disappointed me but fortunately still brought me in under the deadline. I pulled into the driveway and parked. I reflected briefly that the race venue is conveniently situated right beside the town cemetery. Perfect. They could have my grave ready by the time I finished.

Swim - The swim was the issue going into it for me. I had heard about the strong river current last year and was concerned I wouldn't make the swim cutoff time. I knew though that they had changed the course from last year after learning from their mistakes. Still, I didn't know what would face me with the river. Turns out the swim was the easiest part of the day and the current was not an issue at all. I swam the 2km (2 rectangular laps with an exit in between the first and second lap) and was out of the water in time. It was a mass in-water start but that posed no problem really. The only thing I noticed was there seemed to be too many buoys. It got a little confusing the first lap when I mistakenly began a turn prematurely and had to be redirected to the next buoy (unintentionally almost "pulling a Rosie" in the water, haha).

When I exited the transition area to start the bike, there were still people swimming and some bikes still racked so I knew I wasn't the last one out. A few people passed me on the bike and I ended up the caboose in the end. I don't know what happened to the others but there were some people who DNF'd so maybe their bikes went mechanical or they became injured.

Bike - I knew I could handle 90km but what I wasn't prepared for was the relentless hills. Climb after climb, it seemed to never end. Some short steep hills and some gently rolling ones but the ones that mentally got to me were the long drawn out grades on the highway. The incline seemed to go on forever and it felt a bit demoralizing. I tried not to focus on it but it's hard. About 10km into the bike, the skies opened and thunderstorms moved in for the rest of the ride. It poured. I was expecting to be about 3.5-4 hours on the bike and I was only 15 mins longer. Considering the challenge of the course and the weather, that was ok. To be honest, I just wanted to get the ride over with. I was exhausted physically and very drained mentally. Many times coming back on the bike I wanted to give up but I didn't. The roads were fairly smooth but a short section occurred on rougher roads and on my road bike, it was a little bumpy. You ride some of it on busier highways but the shoulders are wide. I had done road work on weekends but I definitely could have put in more hours on road training. Something to note for next time. However the course was well marked with good support by marshalls and Police. In fact, being the last rider for the last 20km, I got to know the nice OPP officer quite well. Do you know how annoying it is to have a car right on your back wheel for that long? But there were some lighter moments in my pain. At about the 80km mark, I encountered one of the last hills and I was struggling. The cruiser pulled up beside me and we had a brief conversation:

OPP: You ok?
Me: Yeah. Do you have to drive right behind me like that?
OPP: Yup. Alllll the way.
Me: Hope you brought a book

Run - I finally got back to transition after what seemed like forever and started to exit for the 21km run. Well for me it was more of a jog/walk, a lot longer time than I would normally run a half marathon. The bike took so much out of me that I couldn't find my run legs and just toughed it out, walking most of the time. By this time, the sun was out and the humidex was about 33 degrees. I had taken in sufficient electrolytes all day so I wasn't cramping, not until about 20km into it, almost at the end, when both achilles tendons started seizing - thankfully just momentarily. Dodged that bullet. The run course is fairly flat with some (2-3) offshoot out-and-back roads that were hilly. I don't think you can avoid hills in that area of Ontario. Decent aid stations every 2km which was good but again, bring your own nutrition too which most people do anyway.

I was very hot, wiped and alone for pretty much the whole day. I'm not ashamed to say I left some emotions on the course. A lot of time to think. One of the things was why was I doing this? I'm not trying to be funny but I mean what was I learning from this? I was not having fun, it was not enjoyable. But I went there to test my mettle and I achieved that goal. I know I can handle a half iron distance race and I will do it again at some point, but I'm in no rush because I want to have a better experience. I realized on Sunday that I really want to bring the fun back into this sport and that with my limited hours to train each week, a shorter course would be better suited to my needs at this point in my life. Maybe down the road, I can devote more hours to train for longer distances when my obligations take less of my time. It was the hardest thing I've ever done and I was confused by my feelings over it. I finished the day not with beaming pride but with a mix of emotion. It was almost anti-climactic for some strange reason. I think it's because it didn't bring me the sense of accomplishment I thought it would. It definitely made me prioritize what is important and what I want from this sport so in hindsight, it was worth it to me. I am glad I did it as I learned things from the experience.

I crossed the line, no one there but the volunteers. It's a different perspective being last. But there are some benefits:

1) Concierge Service - I had 4 volunteers waiting on me. They had even made up a plate of food for me. You can't buy pity like that at the front of the pack.

2) You get to see how the transition racks come apart

3) You get all the leftover food you want

4) No line ups at the porta potty

5) No trouble getting out of the parking lot

6) No one sees your pain. Well, except for the whole world thanks to Mike Cheliak. Damn him.

They took my chip and gave me a pat on the back and that was it. I wondered why after all that work I didn't even get a medal. That struck me as odd but I just figured they didn't give them at this race.

Overall, it's a good race if you want a half iron distance and there are not many from which to choose in our area during the season. It is definitely a challenging course and a small field of racers if you want some competition. Oh yeah, and I am done with hills for a while! I think I said that after Halifax but I really mean it this time ;)

After some stretching, I went back to the food tent where they were packing up. I had to ask.

Me: I think I'll have my pizza now thanks
Volunteers: ok
Me: You guys don't have any bling at this race?
Volunteer (blank stare): What?
Me: Finishers medals. You don't give them here?
Volunteer: Oh, you didn't get one? They're over there, in that red bin.

And with that, she must have felt sorry for me and went to get one and put it around my neck.

Ok, NOW I'm happy.

Lynne Atkinson