The Swim

The swim was extremely challenging. Besides the fact that you start the 3.8 km swim with over 2700 other competitors , this time I did it tethered to another swimmer. I had never done an Ironman tethered before. We had tried it the week before at Nationals, an Olympic distance race. At Nationals there was a para triathlete wave but there were only 4 swimmers with us. Now we were getting into the water with over 2700 others. As you might imagine we had problems with other swimmers getting between us and becoming tangled in the tether. The first few minutes of the swim were tough, trying to maintain my position directly behind Meyrick. However as the swim progressed we were able to find more open water on the outside and things began to get better and we were able to get into a rythym. Our time was not bad, 1 hour 16 minutes. Our whole thing about doing this race was to do everthing ourselves. Normally when Meyrick races alone he has a "handler" who would meet him at the end of0 the swim with his prosthetic and help him out of the water but this is where our team work came in and I helped Meyrick into transition.

Ironman Canada 2010-August 29th

It's been 2 weeks since Meyrick and I completed Ironman Canada in Penticton. Meyrick his first Ironman and I, my 12th. I envy those who complete their first Ironman distance triathlon. While completing this distance always gives me a great sense of accomplishment, it is never quite like the first one. When you are never quite sure if you can do it. It must have been especially satisfying for Meyrick as he had spent the night in hospital 4 days before the race with a fever over 102 and unable to get hydrated. However he gutted it out and completed his first Tronman, Congratulations Meyrick. Also this was the first time two para triathletes had teamed up to tackle the Ironman. If you didn't know already. Meyrick is a below the knee amputee. You may think calling this Meyrick's "first" a little presumptuous,(assuming there would be a second or third....) but we have already signed up to do it again next year. Besides I am not sure anyone can do this race only once. I can be addicting (speaking from experience). I love this race!

Ironman Canada 2010

We are in the final month of preparation for the Ironman Canada triathlon in Penticton, BC to be held on August 29th. While preparation for an Ironman distance race has not been optimal I am confident we will accomplish our goal. To be the first physically challenged team to complete the Ironman. You may be aware that along with my paracycling partner Devon we completed Ironman Hawaii last October. This time my pilot is a below the knee amputee named Meyrick Jones. Meyrick lost his leg in a cable car accident in San Frabcisco in his early 20's. Meyrick is Married and has 3 children. He is part owner of Innovative Fitness in Port Moody BC, a personal training facility. We hope to inspire, motivate abd raise awareness for physically challenged athletes. Our teamwork will prove that anything is possible. Individually we would each need assistance during the race but together as a team we will do it all on our own. It's going to be a fun and exciting day.

It's About Time

Sorry for the long wait between posts or maybe it's been a blessing. Never the less the posts are about to resume. There are some interesting and exciting things happening and about to happen. I hope they will be of interest to you. Stay tuned.

Better late than never

Sorry this took so long to get this video on here, but there was no internet in Cuba. So finally here is my 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay Run.

Paralympic Torch Relay

Carrying the Paralympic Torch. What a thrill! Off to Varadero, Cuba for a one week training camp. The season has started. Will try to upload the torch video soon.

2010 Paralympic Torchbearer

I received some great news this week, I have been selected to carry the torch for the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. It was awesome  to finally get the phone call confirming  my selection as one of only 600 in the torchbearear relay.  It is a great honour to be a torchbearer and I am very excited.  I don't have any details as to when and where I will carry the torch but I will let you all know as soon as I know. Pictured above is the official torchbearer uniform and Paralympic torch.