By: Guy Sylvester The week leading up to IMC was very hectic, getting stuff ready for trip, packing up the bike, and making sure we had everything in order to ensure a safe and happy trip to Penticton, BC. We left the Wednesday before the race, and had a very smooth plane trip into Penticton. During the flights up to the race site, we met various individuals competing in IMC and I began to realize that this thing was going to happen. We arrived at the Lakeside Resort late that Wednesday evening, and ended up waking up our roommates for the week, Mark & Michelle. After a very restful night of sleep, we hit the town of Penticton. First stop breakfast, then off to the expo for souvenirs and other race goodies. It's hard to explain without actually seeing it for yourself, but the town of Penticton opens it's arms up to the entire world for this race, and everywhere you looked, it was Ironman Canada this and Ironman Canada that. Later in the day, I unpacked my bike, got it put back together, and Mark gave it a final tune-up. We take a short ride to make sure everything is in working order, and then call it a day after a delicious pasta dinner.
Race morning was finally here, Mark and I got up early and began eating breakfast, it was going to be a long day. We walked down to the transition area, checked on the bikes, then went and got our body markings. In addition to your race number, they added the initials D.L. to your body markings to note the passing of Don Lomier who had died of heart related problems the Wednesday before the race in Penticton. Don was set to compete in his first Ironman but became ill following a short swim, and later died at the local hospital. After everything was set up in transition, Mark & I returned to the hotel room, got Joy and Michelle out of bed, grabbed our wetsuits and headed for the swim start. Okay, this is it, found Jennifer and Gaye at the swim start, and we made a deal to swim together. Mark & Mary being better swimmers, placed themselves in the front of the pack, while myself, Jennifer and Gaye remained near the rear. Four, three, two, one, the cannon sounds, and 1800 triathletes hit the water and the calm lake turns into a churning mass of arms and legs. After the initial crowding, pushing and shoving, we find clear water and easy swimming. It seems that the turn around boat arrives very quickly, and we are heading home. The swim is just a blur and is over before I know it. Mark and Mary are out of the water in just over 65 minutes, Gaye is next followed by Jennifer and myself. A quick transition, and I'm off on the bike course. The temperature is still cool as we head out on the bike course, there is a small but steep climb around mile five, then it flattens out for the next 35 miles. With flat terrain and a tail wind, I'm flying and thinking this bike course is child's play. How quickly things change, because at mile 40 we enter a small town, and take a right turn, suddenly there is a stiff head wind, and a seven mile climb looking me right in the face. Ritcher Pass is the name of the climb, it's a series of six climbs all about 8 - 9% grades and takes approximately an hour to get through. I see Mary Helm at the top of the last climb, and she appears to be in good spirits, we chat for a second, and I congratulate her on her outstanding swim, then move on. The heat is near 85 degrees and the wind continues to be very stiff making the ride kind of unpleasant. After Ritcher pass, there is a number of rolling hills and some unbelievable downhill descents and things remain the same until mile 90 where there is another mountain pass to climb, and it's tougher than Ritcher pass. The heat is way up at this point, riders are dropping out the race, and the ambulance is a frequent site on the road. There is a ton of people on the climb cheering the riders along, and I finally reach the top, it's all downhill from here back into Penticton. I'm still feeling pretty good as I come back into town, some cramping in my thighs, but I tell myself "nothing to worry about". As I roll through downtown and approach the transition area, I spot Joy and Michelle, and they encourage me along. Once in transition, I see Mark changing into his running clothes, and heading out on the run, I do the same, and anticipate catching him before mile three of the marathon. I leave transition, grab some water and All Sport, and head out through downtown Penticton. Feeling good, and running smooth through the first mile, then at mile two, the cramping begins in my thighs and calves, dehydration has reared it's ugly head. The heat is near 90 degrees now, and I notice a number of people are walking, but I continue to run, I can see Mark at this point, and I will catch up to him at the mile three water stop. As I approach the water stop, Mark is right in front of me, I reach for a cup of drink before I catch up to Mark, and when I did that, total body cramp. It stopped me dead in my tracks, and for the first time, I believed I would not finish the race. At this point, I hit a new low, starting walking but continued to cramp, the spectators were cheering me forward, but I really wanted to quit. I kept walking until the cramping subsided, then would run until it started again, then walk again. My body was telling me "give it up", but for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to quit. Just kept going from mile marker to mile marker, walking most of the way, and running when I could all the while thinking "I'm not going to make it". As the run turn around approached at 13.1 miles, I saw Mark heading home, he was about 8 minutes ahead of me, and I began to feel better, and was able to run further between each mile, and as I made the turn around, I began to believe I was "going to finish and finish before dark". Still running and walking through miles fourteen and sixteen, feeling better with each mile, I began to wonder about Jennifer, Mary and Gaye, as I had not seen then since the bike turnaround. When I was at mile 17 of the marathon, I saw Jennifer running the opposite direction, she was at about mile five of the marathon, and looked like she was running strong, Mary soon followed, and Gaye was a short time later. We wished each other luck and continued on our respective journeys. Finally, mile 20, just a 10 K to go. Still running and walking, eating and drinking at each water stop. It is well into the afternoon, and starting to cool down a little, which is probably why I was feeling better with each passing mile. At mile 23 I hit main street Penticton and knew the finish line was a mere three miles straight up the road. I had made a promise to myself during those dark miserable miles of the marathon that if I made it back to main street, I would run the rest of the way in. In keeping with that agreement, I began running, felt really bad at first, but as I kept going, it began to feel smooth and almost effortless. The crowds down mainstreet were about three deep at this point, and their cheering and encouragement was a real boost. Miles 24 and 25 breeze by, then I can hear the announcer, the crowds are lining the street and I can see the final corner and know the finish line is within reach. A flood of emotions is running through me as I scan the crowd for Joy, there at the corner, she cheering me on, and I high-five her as I round the last 400 yards to the finish. As I cross the finish line, I realize that was the hardest thing I ever had done, and was really glad I had not quit early in the marathon.
After a good massage and a shower, I headed back downstairs to the finish line, and waited for Jennifer, Mary & Gaye to finish. Soon after, Jennifer came running down main street, followed by Mary and Gaye, and I got to see them become "Ironmen", which was almost as good as finishing the race myself. This was my second Ironman and time wise was a personal worst by two and a half hours, however on looking back, I don't feel any type of disappointment, as I know I did the best I could on that particular day, and I got to spend the entire summer hanging out and training with my friends, and that, not my finishing time, is what will bring me back for more and more Ironman finishes. For official results and more info about the event, visit the official Ironman Canada Website at http://www.ironman.ca/
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On Friday I notice that the triathletes are pouring
into the town now, some are swimming, some are running, and others are tending to their
bikes and other race gear. It's amazing to see the number of super fit athletes all
gathered into one place. Mark & I meet up with Jennifer Braswell and Mary Helm and go
for about a 30 minute swim. The water is a little cool, but unbelievably clean and clear.
After the swim, we meet up with John Depouque from the Ice Gators who was in Penticton for
his sister's wedding. John loans us his car, and we travel to Summerville and tour the
local wine vineyards, then met up again with John and his wife for dinner at this great
little restaurant on Lake Okanogan. Mark and I help Mary and Jennifer reassemble their
bikes, and then get them tuned up, then call it a night. 
Saturday morning, the town is buzzing,
triathletes everywhere, everyone is talking about their race goals and strategies. I
brought my bike and transition bags to the transition area after lunch, attended the
mandatory pre-race meeting with Mary and Gaye, then got everyone from Lafayette together,
and we participate in the athlete's parade which proceeded through downtown Penticton. We
threw Mardi Gras beads to the kids, and got a chance to mingle with other people from
around the country. We got in a good meal back at the Lakeside Resort, and called it a
night. 