This was my first half Ironman (1.9k swim, 94k bike and 21.1k run), it was a bit of an experiment to see how I liked the distance and how I managed with the asthma too.  As such, I hadn’t changed my training at all, my main race this year is the Olympic World Championships, just 6 weeks away in Budapest.  The race was therefore to be a long training day

So, how did it go.  Starting with an alarm call at 3.15am (ouch!!), we set off from central Calgary to be bused to the swim and bike start in the rain!  We’ve had fantastic weather here for the last few weeks, but Sunday wasn’t starting the same way – shame!  Everything set up and now ready to go.  I was excited to start, all women starting together.

I had a fantastic swim, wasn’t pushing it particularly hard as I knew I still had 5hours-ish of racing/ training to go!  To my surprise, there were 2 women ahead of me (about a minute ahead – the lead kayak was within easy sight, so that was my sighting spot!) – and I exited the water with one other woman in 29mins 25secs, feeling great.

Off on the bike ready for the 93/94k ride.  I enjoyed the ride, it was rolling, the weather generally good (a bit of rain, but most had gone by then)  I got my nutrition bang on right, good for my first longer-distance race.  Pulled in on 2hrs 58mins

Time to run – I love to run.  My back was twinging a bit, so it’s always a relief to get upright!  I was feeling GREAT on the run, blowing Jase a kiss as I ran past at 4k – although I did have to stop for a loo break at 4.5k!  At this point I knew I was first in my age group, and was loving the race.  After 6k my right foot starting hurting a little, but just thought it was muscular.  At 9k it really hurt, and hurt with every step – but still thought it was muscular.  I obviously slowed down, but carried on running.  I was still enjoying the race, but was in pain for sure.  At 18k (3k before the end) I was passed by someone from my age group – so the top spot had gone.  I couldn’t put any more pressure on my foot, so a pick up of pace was out of the picture.  Crossing the line having completed my first half marathon (let alone first half ironman) in a split on 1h 46mins and a total time of 5hrs 19mins, I was a VERY happy person.

So overall, I was 2nd in my age group, just 2mins behind 1st.  I was 10th age group woman overall out of 250ish.  I thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing.  I think I also secured a 70.3 World Championship spot – didn’t take it up, but kinda good to get one   Not bad for a first go, eh?!

BUT, the day didn’t stop there.  I spoke to the medic guys as I came through – they iced and strapped my foot, but suggested an x ray as they suspected a stress fracture.  We decided to head back to Fernie for it, rather than wait for hours in a Calgary waiting room.  Several pain killers later on the way home, and a couple of x rays at Fernie, no it wasn’t a stress fracture, it was fully broken in my 3rd meta tarsal!  So, I’d run for 12k with a broken foot – explains the pain I guess.  I’m in an air cast for 4 weeks, but can still swim, maybe bike after a week, and maybe water run.  It should be fully repaired by Budapest in 6 weeks.

On the asthma front – everything felt fine, probably means that half ironman might be better suited to me, as the intensity is less, and I can maintain the same pace for twice the Olympic distance.

So, what have I learnt?

• I thoroughly enjoyed the race.

• Having a high pain threshold is not necessarily a good thing – having never broken a bone in my body before, I would have expected the pain to be way way worse!

• Did I think it was hard core to carry on with a broken foot – no

• Am I frustrated that I’ve potentially put back my race in Budapest – yes

• Would I have carried on running if I’d known it was broken – absolutely not

• Half Ironman vs Olympic – equally difficult, 2 different racing requirements.

And now for an interesting fact:

There were 9 pro women racing – my swim split would have beaten 4 of them and only 15 secs behind the 5th!  It might only be one leg of the race (and the shortest one!) but made me smile!!

Jase and our friend, Col, were there to cheer.  It was fantastic to have them both there.  Col was “tweeting” throughout the entire, so some of you were able to follow the race there – but, just to say thanks to both for being brilliant – even after VERY little sleep the night before  – you’re both the best xx

More photos in the gallery