You know how the saying goes, better late than never.    I was not able to access the polar site while on vacation so am now only getting to an update.

I left Vancouver early Saturday Aug 16 bound for the Okanagan.   I had decided to race the National Championships in Kelowna and then hang out in the area until IMC.  Mixed in with all of this was the Olympic Triathlon ..... More on that in a few mins.

I arrived in Kelowna on what seemed like one of the hottest days ever - picked up my race kit and then just relaxed at the hotel for a few hours.   At 4:00pm I went for my usual pre race run which left me dripping, apparently it had got even hotter ..... As usual, the run seemed sluggish but knowing that I usually feel this way made me realize i was ready.   I woke early on Sunday morning and forced down my usual pre race breakfast  (this never seems to get any easier - I always feel like a fish that's been in the hot sun all day) and headed over to transition.   I organized my piece of turf (gotta love numbered racks), visualized myself in transition a few times and then went for a pre race swim.   As per Scott's previous message, this was a no wetsuit swim.   On a side note, in almost 15 years of doing triathlons, this is the only the second time I have raced without a wetsuit.  I noticed more than a few individuals were concerned that it was no wetsuit ...... do they train in a pool with their wetsuit?

Race started and I immediately knew it was going to be a tough swim - I may not be the best at swimming in a straight line but I sure was better than the clown that constantly kept swimming into me.   Even when I got out for the first lap, he couldn't run straight.  Needless to say I had a few elbows and fists come my way throughout the swim - nothing major, but enough to make one think twice about swimming in a pack.   I had a mediocre swim and an OK transition.   

I headed out onto the bike and found my rythm quite early on.  I had and excellent ride and felt strong heading into transition for the run.  By this time, it was warming up - I headed out onto the run.  It seemed to take me forever to get my running legs, although the time splits suggested otherwise.   By the time I got onto the second lap, I was feeling more like a runner (at least a runner in a triathlon).  I ended up finishing 21st overall and 5 in my AG against some tough competition.   I also qualified to representa Canada at the World Championships on the Gold Coast next year.