It took about thirteen hours of driving to arrive in Mont Tremblant for my first full Ironman race of the season. I left Columbus about 1 o'clock in the morning on Friday, and after traveling about 750 miles through Ohio, Pennsylvania, Upstate New York, Ontario, and finally, Quebec, I have finally arrived just in time to register for the race and to pick up my race packet. The village was already buzzing with excitement fueled by the thousands of athletes and spectators. The village was indeed, getting ready for a big day on Sunday (August 18th).
Finding Kona in Mont Tremblant.
Posing with the M-Dot, Linda, and Chuck who traveled with us to Mont Tremblant to cheer me on
This is where it will all end on Sunday. The finish line will be on my mind all day. I crossed it a couple of times before in Mont Tremblant.
This artistic program included, among others, a gospel choir. It was a part of the athletes' welcome dinner. Luis and I had a difficult time finding a table seat in this gigantic tent.
Saturday morning welcomed us with a bright sunshine. The weather forecast for the Ironman weekend was supreme. No chance of rain, "guaranteed" sun, and the temperature in the 80's. A perfect weather, indeed. After breakfast, I prepared my racing gear and went for a 45-minute training ride. The roads were busy with traffic. Vehicles and training athletes were doing their best to negotiate the busy streets of Mont Tremblant
In front of our Bed & Breakfast getting ready for my last training ride before the race. Little did I know, that the little twinge I felt in my back while pumping a tire will turn into a big reason for concern later that day. So, now, I had an unhealed hamstring and a back muscle strain to contend with.
Fortunately, there was help. After having visited a couple of physiotherapists in the Ironman Village I was hoping for the best.
After treatment, there were a couple more things to do. Racking my bike along the side of 2,700 others and .....
dropping my transitions bags. This calm and empty transition zone will become a total chaos in less than 24 hours from now. Today, I can have it all to myself.
As Saturday was winding down I tried to relax while thinking about my back and whether it will hold up in the morning. Before too long, I was sound asleep.
Stay tuned. In the next blog I will actually write about the race.
Saturday morning welcomed us with a bright sunshine. The weather forecast for the Ironman weekend was supreme. No chance of rain, "guaranteed" sun, and the temperature in the 80's. A perfect weather, indeed. After breakfast, I prepared my racing gear and went for a 45-minute training ride. The roads were busy with traffic. Vehicles and training athletes were doing their best to negotiate the busy streets of Mont Tremblant
As Saturday was winding down I tried to relax while thinking about my back and whether it will hold up in the morning. Before too long, I was sound asleep.
Stay tuned. In the next blog I will actually write about the race.
