It's been an intense few days, but we're settling in and feeling organized. Arrived in beautiful Penticton mid-day on Thursday; checked in at the Ironman Expo, lots of excitement, familiar faces and new faces. Profound sense of purpose and camaraderie here. Have a fantastic support crew here, including my lovely wife Elaine. First-time Ironman athletes who have trained alongside me are pals Mary Booth and Julie Menzies.
You can follow our progress on Sunday on the Subaru Ironman Canada website:
Penticton Ironman: Follow an athlete
Got up yesterday morning to a beautiful day; weather is hot here, but little humidity. Forecast for Sunday is 32C! We're planning ahead and hydrating, hydrating, hydrating. Hit the Expo; invested in an emergency tire-repair kit. Ready for everything. Donned the wetsuits and took a short (500m), slow swim in Lake Okanagan to get a feel for the swim course. Water is perfect.
Pat Ward, me, my wife Elaine, and Esther Pauls.
After a bite to eat, drove into the mountains to Yellow Lake to test out cycling legs on the 12k climb we'll encounter at about kilometer 160 of the Ironman.
Friends in deed Gord and Esther Pauls and Pat Ward.
I have my work cut out for me!
On to a very short run to test the grade. Conclusion: it's steep.
...followed by a cooling dip in Yellow Lake.
Back to town for dinner, and an evening view of Lake Okanagan.
The 4k swim portion of the Ironman is out to the far point
and looping back.
Friday evening we rounded up friends and met at the Penticton Ironman Street Festival; live music, delicious food, excitement and anticipation.
A twirling dervish enjoying the music.
Elaine and I.
More posts to follow: the Ironman is tomorrow!
All the best tomorrow, Art! Godspeed!
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