June 24, 2007 marked my 9^th Ironman as I went Couer D’Alene Idaho to challenge this distance yet one more time in preparation for my A race at Ironman Florida in November. This is a beautiful town in a beautiful location and this year hosted a new bike course which I enjoyed so much more.

My goal was to use this day as a great training day to see where I was at both physically and mentally. It was also to give my Trek Bike, Blue Seventy Wetsuit and Profile by Design components a test which they passed with flying colors. Little did I know that the test I was about to endure would be greater than any other I had faced before.

They say that in an Ironman “Take what the day gives you and make the best of it”. Never were truer words spoken as the day started off with all athletes being given the option for a duathlon as the lake was white capping towards shore. Only about 30 athletes took this option only after trying the first of two loops before calling it quits in favor of this option.

I was feeling great leading up to the race knowing that training was something to be built on but I was confident and calm. The cannon went off and then it happened, about 500 meters into the swim I had swallowed so much water I was sick. This little episode was to repeat itself in a couple different forms throughout the day with a few stops along the way. I finally exited the water after a few unplanned stops only 25 minutes slower than normal. YIKES !!!!!!!!!!! Better get on the bike.

The bike was going well as I was holding back and saving myself for the second loop as the major hills appear at 80 miles and if you go to hard you pay BIG time. I was riding well (except for a stop or two) and then my front tire flatted. After that unplanned stop I rode about another 5 miles before it flatted again and upon inspection I noticed the rim tape had shifted. Time to call tech support. Calling is one thing, having them show up is another as they were very busy on this particular day. After close to an hour they arrived and it was duck tape to the rescue. Off I went again but this only lasted for about 30 miles when, yes you guessed it another flat. Tech support was better this time  (about 30 minutes) as I had run out of tubes and they had a spare tube & more duck tape. This time it held for the remainder of the bike although my split was 7:19. I guess not too bad as I was riding fast when I was riding and would have, should have been under 6 hours, but this is Ironman and anything can happen. I just accepted the ride for what it was and was thankful it was over.

Off on the run I went and feeling ok & then sickness started to set in again. If at any point during the day I wanted to quit we were now approaching that point. In the end it is all about finsh. I put together a plan to not eat or drink for the last 2 – 3 hours which was tough and the better of two evils (I think). I finished the race in 15:13 which overall given what I dealt with was a good time.

I learnt many things about my character, mental and physical fitness on this day which I suppose was my goal. I also learnt that as they always say “Anything can happen in an Ironman”. It is your goal in an Ironman to embrace and make the best of the day. It is about the finish and I will not too soon forget this. Look forward to catching up with you at the races.

I know my next Ironman will be better as I think I got everything out of me that could go wrong in this race J

Bruce “The IronCanuck” Bauman