Racing yesterday at the Kelowna Apple was good fun.  It’s pretty cool to race in the same events with folks like Simon Whitfield (who repeated his national championship) and 1200 triathletes from across Canada.  The event is really well organized and I just clued into why there where bins of Apples everywhere.  It’s the Kelowna Apple, duh!  I had a good laugh at myself when I “got it.”  My goal was to try for a top-ten finish and I was a wee-bit off that spot for worlds but I was still happy with how the race went yesterday.

I had set myself a goal of 2h35 for an earlier race in the season, called the Peach.  Yes, I’m having a fruit inspired season.  I was 2h38 at the Peach, so I still had that 2h35 goal in my head.  I finished at 2h34 yesterday and it felt good to beat that goal.  I know this goal is conservative in terms of my abilities but it felt pretty good for where I’m at right now.

When I was in IronMan shape, I did 2h29 at the Apple but that was me at several lbs lighter and a LOT fitter. I seem to respond well to the longer training.  It will be interesting to see if I can get to that same fitness again this upcoming year. I’ve got it in my head to beat 12hrs for IronMan Canada in my second kick at the can. As an interesting side note, 2:29 was a top ten finish yesterday.  I feel good knowing that qualifying is possible.  I’m not at all disappointed about not qualifying. I could likely get a roll down spot if I wanted… but I don’t think I will do that. Instead I think I will focus on IronMan next year. Torbin and I now have the freedom to do our trip to New Zealand with our own timing in 2012/2013.

I was funny at the race yesterday. I enjoyed myself at the event chatting with friends and making new friends but did some silly things in transition. I came out of the water and looked at my transition stuff dumbly and stood there semi-frozen just looking my things. Looking back, I think I did not eat enough breakfast – or at least I didn’t do a top up in the 3hrs between leaving home and the race start.  I also had my garmin wristband on and discovered that I couldn’t get my wetsuit on with the band on.  It didn’t even occur to me that I ALSO wouldn’t be able to get the wetsuit OFF with the band on.  Shoot, I was fiddling with the silly wristband running up from the water.  I also totally went up the wrong lane coming off the bike and had to duck under a rack with my bike. My run transition was also pretty lame, I got confused about which stuff to bring.  I ended up sitting down and then forgot the darn garmin.  For which I had carefully removed and replaced the stupid wristband earlier. Jeez louise!

The run started off well.  I had good legs.  And then, I got really hot and just ran out of steam. It was hard. I was covered in salt at the end but well hydrated. I’m not used to this Okanagon heat.  At least it meant that I really enjoyed the cool water of the lake after the race was over.  Next up is the San Francisco marathon.  Bring it on!

Kelowna Apple Race Results 2011
60th place overall out of 232 women
18/58 Female 35-39 
2:34:00 overall time
swim: 26:25 1:46/100m pace
T1: 1:57 
bike: 1:13:21 32.7kph
T2: 1:25
run: 0:50:54 5:06/km pace