Self Transcendence Triathlon
1.5km Swim, 40km Bike, 10km Run
August 6, 2006
Victoria British Columbia Canada

I have done 35 triathlons including 8 Ironmans so I guess it was time to do an Olympic Distance Triathlon. This triathlon is a true community event ( website http://www.scmt.ca/home.php ) and in preparation for the event I spent a great amount of time working with the organizing committee to introduce Athena & Clydesdale Categories. This involved some media work which not only promoted the event but also my major sponsors. In the end we were successful in attracting 15 Clydesdale Athletes and 9 Athena athletes which is remarkable given this was the first year. We did not split these categories into under & over 40 as is done in many cases as we were unsure of our number of registrants.

The day was spectacular with not a cloud in the sky as I arrived at the race site at 6am for the 7:30am start. The start was divided into waves and I was very happy to be in the first wave. In addition, to this unfamiliar distance ( my first Olympic Distance Race) I was wearing my TIMEX heart rate monitor to get some baseline numbers for my coach & I to work with when we get into the training for Ironman Florida.

Soon the gun was off and it did take me a bit to clear myself from the masses as I quickly found myself in the first chase group. The swim was going well & then it happened. Everything just came together & I took off, it was amazing. I saw myself exit the water in 10^th place of 269 athletes and was off to transition.

It took me a bit to find my bike legs but I was soon off & flying. As is often the case in these short hard efforts my back started to tighten up but as always I know it will loosen in due course. This was no different and by the 20km mark everything was going great. By 30km I noticed that my seat on the bike was loose. The first thought that went through my mind was how a friend of mine had lost his seat & had to finish the race standing up for the last 20km. That was not going to be me so I positioned myself on the nose of the seat to hold it still. Although it slowed me down slightly, and the bumps in the road were no fun I still finished the bike sitting down and 70^th out of 269.

I was in & out of T2 before I knew it and felt great on the run. I figure the speed I lost on the bike helped me on the run. About ½ way through the run the strangest thing started to happen as I could feel my body start to tighten up from head to toe. This was something I had never had happen & I was not sure how to deal with it. I knew I would keep running but take in a little extra nutrition at the next couple aid stations & hope that would work. Not sure if it was the nutrition or the brief stop at the aid stations but I was soon off & feeling great. The last couple of km were tough but they may have been because they were my quickest. Always have to finish with flurry you know.

In the end my time was 2:37.21 good for 2^nd place Clydesdale, 10^th in my age group & 76^th of 269 overall. I was very pleased with my race especially the fact that I had a personal best 10km on this course which I run in training almost every week. I guees a little extra effort in training is warranted J The run is key for me and I have put quite a bit of effort into this sport this year & it was nice to start to see things pay off.

In closing I must say a HUGE THANKS to all my sponsors (Timex and supporting sponsors, and Adidas) who without I would not be able to live my dreams. I owe you everything.

Your in Racing

Bruce “Iron Canuck” Bauman