For all of us in the triathlon world this past weekend saw the start of the Ironman season with Ironman Arizona taking place in Tempe. There were some great performances and my congratulations go to all those that trained and competed in this event especially my TIMEX team mates.
 

However, for those of us in the less tropical climates we are dealing with the changing of the seasons. In Canada this means spring with the NHL playoffs in full swing and at the local level hockey tournaments are the order of the day.
 

This past weekend I participated with some of my employees at the arena in a little hockey tournament. The tournament was set up as 7 people per team including a goalie. The plan was that you could have 1 goalie, 5 skaters and 1 spare. This was a little shift in my Ironman Training having not been on blades for 8 years or more. It gave a whole new meaning to anaerobic training something us distance athletes do not do enough of. Not to worry though, I got in a couple bike rides in between games to loosen up and work out some of the kinks, bumps, bruises and ……….
 

Having not played hockey for a number of years I was pleased to see some of the progressive changes that have taken place. Firstly’ and foremost was the inclusion of women and men on the same team in a tournament sharing all the ice time, responsibility and duties equally. To this end were a couple statements heard from the ladies stating that they “were upset if the guys did not try 100%”. They felt that there should be nothing less than 100% effort on everyone’s behalf thus having a truly competitive game, which was great to hear. The other significant change was the significant amount of alternate beverages after the game rather that the brown bottle staple of years gone by.
 

The tournament involved a series of 5 games including semi finals and a final. I was very happy to make use of my new Spenco insoles in my skates as they gave a whole new meaning to the word comfort as we progressed through the busy weekend. Our team played in the final for first place in our division. We were the highlight game of the day with our final game being tied after regulation at 0. After overtime there was still no score and only during the shoot out was the determination made of who was the best on that particular day when we scored one goal and the other team came up empty.  
 

The weekend was fun and now as time goes spring here will soon be summer. Next weekend I will be back on the bike for those long rides and soon will be culminating the preparations my Ironman in June.
 

Remember, cross training can take on many forms so use it effectively towards your long term goal.
 

Happy training,
 

Bruce “The IronCanuck”

 My story started what seems a lifetime ago however, I will pick it up in 1999 when my failing memory has some degree of accuracy. In 1999 I weighed 328 lbs and had an entire series of health related issues. 
 

This however, was only what was visible on the outside. Inside I was in the depths of clinical depression a condition I had suffered with for years. I also had high blood pressure & was being treated for a variety of other physical medical issues. It was at this critical point that I decided something had to change and I had to “Live Better” if I was going to live at all.
 

At first I had no idea where I was going or what I would do. I figured out that if I ate a balanced diet, did some exercise balanced family & work that life had to get better. In doing so and looking after myself I could do a much better job of looking after those that I hold dear to me. So off I went blindly on my quest for a Better Life.
 

Over time my life started to take shape and things started to fall in line. I was soon ready (I thought) to join a masters swim team. Since there was one in the morning at the pool I managed in Victoria BC Canada it worked for me. Soon there I was “part of something” for what seemed the first time in a very long while. Over time I got to know many of the group and discovered it was a spectrum of true amateurs such as myself but also included elite professionals (the world’s best). There was also talk within this group as spring rolled around of triathlon & Ironman, both which were foreign to me and defiantly new words in my vocabulary. Soon though even without knowing it I found myself on a stationary bike & a treadmill both which I started at 5 min each and worked up to 20 min twice a week.  I guess at that point since I was swimming, biking and riding I was a triathlete J
 

I will never forget the day that a soon to become very close friend and my first Ironman Coach said to me. “I have been watching you & maybe you should enter a triathlon”. I chuckled as I thought to myself “me a triathlete, in case you haven’t noticed I don’t quite look like everyone else here” How can someone who’s biggest move a few months ago was getting off the couch to change TV channels be a triathlete. Then something magical happened. The thought of “Why Not” entered my mind for the very first time in what seemed years I was confident and I found myself a few weeks later at the start line of my first Sprint Triathlon 800m swim, 20km bike, 5 km run. I went out that day to the cheers of all my fellow swimmers & even though the word “sprint” did not apply to my performance I had found something special. Through this Multisport of triathlon I discovered that I was capable of doing things that I had not thought possible. I had learnt once again to believe in myself.
 

A day a few months later I approached one of the elite professional triathletes in our group and started to enquire about “Ironman” as he was racing in Ironman Canada in 2000. The question I posed was “Who does this Ironman triathlon thing, it seems impossible”. The answer he gave me will live with me forever. He said “Anyone can do an Ironman; you just need to train a year for it”. This was truly a magical moment. I immediately thought “well if that is all there is to it I can do it” especially since I had already learnt to believe in myself.
 

I was very soon entered in my first Ironman Triathlon at Ironman Canada in 2001 much to the doubt of many. I also know that it was my entry in this event that provided great humor to many and quite the comedy in many discussions throughout the year. As I was told I trained, trained & trained for a year and completed my first Ironman in 14:05. If you have never done an Ironman I can only say there is no feeling like crossing the finish line. Not only did I make believers of those who laughed at or doubted me BUT more importantly to me I had proven something to myself.
 

Today, I am mentally, physically & spiritually the healthiest I have ever been. Every year I take great delight at my annual doctor visit to joke with him how I am the healthiest person he has seen in his office in quite some time. He always agrees.
 

Yes, I weigh 208 lbs and compete in the Clydesdale category. I have completed 8 Ironmans, 12 Half Ironmans, multiple marathons, and many open water swimming events to 5km. My best finish was 11:45 at Ironman Florida in 2006 placing 5th and a second place finish at the 2004 Grand Columbian 1/2 Ironman in the Clydesdale category. Who says we slow down with age? J
 

Having a Bachelor of Education degree with a major in Physical Education I have taken additional studies and now operate a part time business as a Professional Motivational Speaker & Coach. http://teamtimex.timexblogs.com/www.ironcanuck.com sharing the dream and giving back to the sport.
 

I am proud to say that I am a 5 year member of the amazing TIMEX Multisport Team the first Multisport team of professional and amateur athletes. This team is made up of tremendous people including great friends and my involvement with this team is something I truly cherish.
 

Yes, my life has changed and more so than I could have ever imagined. I owe this to all those that helped and believed in me along the way including my truly supportive family. I must also thank my very first Ironman Coach who believed in me even when I did not and to that very special Elite Professional Ironman triathlete that told me “anyone can do an Ironman”, both of which shall remain nameless in print but forever be engraved in my heart. I would also like to thank my major sponsor TIMEX and my fellow team mates for your continued support. Your support is cherished, truly appreciated and you are amazingly special to me.

Of course, I must also thank all those non-believers who I know I provided much humor to over the years since it is through your actions then that I now have a permanent smile that allows me  to LIVE BETTER EACH & EVERY DAY. I could not have done it without you J
 

Thanks to all
 

Bruce ‘The IronCanuck” Bauman
8 time Ironman Finisher

Timex Team Member since 2002

Timex Camp 2007 was a GREAT experience on many fronts. Not only did I get to meet some fellow athletes who are AMAZING people first and atheletes second BUT I also got to feel that I am not alone in facing some day to day challlenges.

Why you ask would I, who has done multiple Ironmans have these thoughts. Well, recently in my other life, a life with 4 children, a great wife and a stressful job decided that it was time to resign that job and take a position that was going to involve a move and thus an upset to the way of life my family has come to feel comfortable.

Yes, I could justify the move to a new job as being good in many respects but that did not negate the fact that it was a large upset to the status quo. However, I was soon to realize that the upset to the status quo would mean much more to me that I originally thought. What I came to realize really quickly was that I was having trouble being motivated and fitting the training in around tha large demand on time my new position was to have.

In the end though through the help of some specific amazing people and fellow athletes I call my friends I found that what I was experiencing was simply something that many of them deal with each and every day. There were stories of planning ahead for the week and taking changes of clothes to work, to preparing and packing lunches for the week and finally just scheduling the training in through strict self discipline.

As I said learnt reallly quickly that i am not alone in my challlenge & neither should you. I am now rededicated to myself and all the things dear to me including this great sport. I look forward to racing this year and catching up with my great friends who many of have no idea how much they have helped me. You guys/gals are the BEST !!!!! TIMEX rocks.

PS. As dedicated as I am to the sport I also realized it is ok to play in a hocket tournament next weekend.

All the best to your season.

Bruce “Ironcanuck” Bauman

Ironman Florida Panama City November 4, 2006

As I new challenge I chose Ironman Florida 2006 in beautiful Panama City for my 8^th Ironman. I remember the first Ironman I did in Penticton BC Canada as clear as day & now here I am enjoying this great sport with no end in sight. They say this race is fast & easy but there is really nothing easy about a 141 mile race which I was about to find out.

The bike ride and run are generally flat and the swim is in the ocean so I felt the race was well suited to my strengths.
The day started early as always at 4am with my room mate & I leaving for transition at 5am. This is Florida in November but no one expected it to be 34 F in the morning with a high of 69 F for the day. In actual fact standing on the beach had my feet so cold I decided to stand in the water as it is warmer at 71 F. The warm up then consisted of a few arm circles while standing in the water and visualizing the race start to finish.

As luck would have it the day was not only cold but on this day the water was the roughest it was all week. The wind was offshore as the tide was coming in and the current was running right to left. As I suspected, in order to do well at this race you have to be a swimmer and no truer was this than today. Between the waves and the current it was very difficult to find any feet because as soon as you were on them they seemed to disappear with the next wave. At one point on the second loop I came up to sight and saw some swimmers 3 feet above me which was a weird feeling and something that brought a smile to my face :)Later in the day on the run I heard numerous people telling stories of being sea sick multiple times during the swim. I guess the good news was that the fish ate well :)

The transition times were generally slow as people put on everything short of their winter parkas but being from Canada I decided that all I needed were my arm warmers. One person actually took 1 hour and 15 minutes in the two transitions combined.

Soon I was off on the bike with a plan to build into the bike because one of the biggest problems people face here is that you can easily go out too fast & then blow up. The key to my race was to be smart, consistent & strong. I was told to ride 5:30 – 5:40 so I could be solid on the run. I rode 5:34 in conditions that were tough as I think we fought head or cross winds for about 50 miles.

The run has always been my weakest link but I was determined to make it my strength on this day. We had a plan in place to be consistent, strong and make sure I got nutrition at the aid stations. I was focused on the run making sure to take a personal inventory every 5 minutes or so. I must say it hurt like all marathons but I turned in a major break through to complete the race in a personal best of 11:45 which is 47 minutes faster than Ironman Arizona in April 2006.

Ironman Florida is a tough race since you are always in the aero position all day on the bike as there are very few hills. With the winds and the false flats it can be challenging. The run is difficult as you never get a break going up or down a hill so the same muscles are working all day long. Finally, the swim is in the ocean and there is always a current and it can be quite wavy. This race proved to me once again that you need to plan your race and race your plan. Ironman is not about being fast but more about being patient and strong. By having a plan and racing your race you likely will achieve your goals. Yes you can have a great race here but be prepared for different conditions because no matter how you cut it you are still racing 141 miles.

I would like to close by thanking all my supporters and my major sponsor TIMEX who without I would not have been able to achieve my goals.

See you 2007. I am off to recover and play a little hockey for a couple months.

Bruce “The IronCanuck” Bauman

Hi All,

As I prepare for my 8th Ironman, I have chosen to race the Ironman Florida on November 4, 2006. This will be my second Ironman of 2006, as I was in Tempe Arizona in April for a very enjoyable race in the desert.

Both of these events have proven to be a challenge, as I live in Canada and training can be, well, “a little chilly” at times for these events that are on the fringe of our summer. After giving it some thought, I guess that is why I chose Ironman Florida.

Where I live it is quite mountainous, so finding any prolonged time where I stay aero to simulate the Florida bike course is difficult and all part of the challenge. Running is the same given the rolling terrain of the east coast of Vancouver Island.

I have spent the summer doing a couple a series of races from sprint to 1/2 Ironman and just having a great time. The last couple months, my coach & I have been working on training specifics to make my race in Florida a great experience. We have a bit of a new plan for the race and nutrition which I am excited about and know it will spell success.

This is all happening with many of the hockey leagues already starting in Canada, and Thursday marks the start of the National Hockey League schedule. With that said I am am off for a long run before settling in to my last big week of training before the taper.

Oh did I mention that the night I fly into Tampa on my way to Panama City I have tickets to the Tampa Bay Lighting vs San Jose Sharks hockey game. I guess I truly am Canadian :)

See you in Florida (I can hardly wait)!

Bruce “IronCanuck” Bauman