Race Report by: Tom Hall

My planning for Ironman Canada 2006 started shortly after Elizabeth Slattery signed me up for the race, the morning after IMC 2005. Thanks Elizabeth.

After a year off in 2005, it was time for another Ironman in 2006. I had decided to return to IMC for many reasons: (a) it is a great race venue with a superb course, (b) the weather is predictably fantastic, (c) it is an end of summer race and (d) I had positive experiences at Ironman Canada 1998 and 1999. This year I decided to hire Nigel Gray to be my coach (great choice). He provided me with a new approach to training and a sound plan. He worked with me for 10 months and he kept me focused on my #1 goal: a solid race at Ironman Canada. I began using the Powertap to measure power output in watts on the bike and learned a new even paced style of riding. Nigel’s training plan worked for me as my fitness improved over time. His input and coaching is directly related to my success at IMC 2006. Thanks Nigel.

During the fall/winter/spring, the Sunday indoor spin classes at Erin Meadows with the ex C3 now Mississauga Triathlon club were lots of fun. The Aurora Ducks Triathlon team kept me swimming, or was that drinking for the entire season. The spring and summer of bike training was done mostly with Craig and Karen Bonham, Paolina Allen and Richard Ahong. By far the most significant training partner was Richard who shared multiple 3, 4 and 5 hour rides and the obligatory post bike runs as we both prepared for our respective Ironman races. We covered hundreds of kilometers together on Saturday mornings in Muskoka. Thanks Richard for being a valuable training partner and friend.

Penticton 2006:

Dorothy, John Boffin and Ryan Jackson and I flew out together. John, Ryan and I completed secret ballots writing down our expected race finishing times, with a small wager attached for the closest to finish time prediction. Oh, the confidence was high. I was rested and ready for the big day.

John, Ryan and I decided to ride the bike course one morning, as is the normal routine, and along the way Ryan met a woman out for the same ride. Identified as racer # 2082, she will appear again in the story.

Race Morning:

Another perfect Penticton day was on the way. I was unusually calm that morning maybe confidence - maybe no brains…. In transition I drop by to see John Boffin to pump up his tires and we have a pre race hug. Ah, how nice.

The Swim:

This year I started on the left side and had an uneventful start for an Ironman swim. The water temperature was great, the weather was great, hey, everything was great - except I forgot to swim hard! I needed the motivation my wife Dorothy gave me at IMUSA, and I quote: “ if you don’t do a sub 1:05 swim, I am leaving you on the course and driving home”. Guess what, I did an Ironman swim PB that day. On this day in Penticton the swim was a little slower, but no problem.

The Bike:

This is a scenic bike route with two big hills (Richter’s Pass and Yellow Lake) and lots of good riding in between. It is predictably hot with some wind. I like the fact that at the top of Yellow Lake it is all down hill to the bike finish, approximately 25km. The spectators cheered us up the last climb at Yellow Lake and inspired us to push a little more to reach the top of the climb.

For me this was a day of executing my race pan and strategy as defined by coach Nigel. Follow my Powertap wattage numbers, keep properly fueled and accept the fact that the overall race is NOT about the bike. The 180 km bike ride zipped by as I followed my race plan. The result was a time of 5:34:xx and I felt great at the end of the bike ride.

The Run:

It was going to be hot on the run - but I was ready. I love the excitement and crowd support at Ironman Canada. With the new run course you are in the crowd for 4 or 5 miles. Outstanding.

Confidence reigned supreme as I charged out from transition. Spurred on by the cheering spectators, I ran the first three miles feeling great and running way too fast for an Ironman. I actually caught up to Ryan a few miles later but the reality of the next 20 miles started to sink in as the stomach cramps emerged. Ryan cruised off ahead. Undaunted, I pursued a fellow age group competitor attempting to keep up. After a gradual slow down, unplanned stops to deal with the stomach cramps and trying to stay hydrated, the stomach-emptying barf at mile 11 dropped my “fuel tank” to zero. Not good. This is where the will to run disappears and the legs start to really hurt. Thus by mile 12 my “run” had become a walk. The good news was that the last mile to the turnaround is downhill.

The cheering spectators at the turnaround at OK Falls are great but my fuel tank was still near empty. Eating and hydrating is still the focus until eventually the fuel tank reads, “GO”. Once again the race is on! Now I ran with the determination derived from a years worth of training seeking to make up the lost ground. Despite having a topsy-turvy run split, I finished 5th place in my age group (a podium finish!!!) and earned a Hawaii Qualifying spot. Later I discovered that slow runs were the norm for my age group. Almost caught Ryan, but I ran out of real estate.

Remember racer 2082? This is Lesley Mettler from Seattle. She passed me at the finish line to finish 4th in women 35-39 and she got a Hawaii Qualifying spot.

I did drop by the medical tent post race not to visit John Boffin (as this is where he goes at the end of every Ironman) but to get some ice and recover. Ryan and I end up side by side in the triage area and reflect on the race as JB, white as a ghost, goes in for some IV.

John Boffin won the pre race wager “closest to predicted finishing time” and he did an inspiring 10:25:57 race. Well done my friend.

John, Ryan, Leslie (#2082) and I, accompanied by Norm Flemingdon, had some well earned post race refreshments as the culmination to IMC 2006.

Learning experience from this Ironman:

It is always fun to go to a race with friends and family.
Training partners are invaluable and will become close friends
Training for Ironman can’t be done without spousal support. Dorothy was once again fully supportive and was a great domestique at IMC.
Powertap training works.
Proper fueling (yah duh) is more important than you know.
Nigel Gray is a good coach.
Never quit during an Ironman, you never know what might happen.

Post IMC and Hawaii:

The “Ironman double” - IMC and then Hawaii - is a huge challenge. The Hawaii Ironman is a hard enough race on its own and after IMC it is a killer! Regardless, I am pleased that I went and had a middle of the pack finish in my age group.

Thanks to everyone who encouraged and supported me this last year. It was fun !

Time to rest.

Tom Hall.